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De Notation Connotation Clusters

This document discusses the difference between a word's denotation and connotation. The denotation is the literal definition, while the connotation includes all the cultural and personal associations with that word. It provides examples of how the words "snake" and "serpent" have different connotations, with "serpent" usually implying something evil. The document also discusses how words related to politicians have taken on somewhat negative associations over time. It then provides a table asking the reader to think of words with positive and negative connotations for different conditions like overweight, short, etc. Finally, it lists some old car names and asks the reader to choose one and answer questions about the image, performance and target consumer implied by that name

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Shanique Grant
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203 views

De Notation Connotation Clusters

This document discusses the difference between a word's denotation and connotation. The denotation is the literal definition, while the connotation includes all the cultural and personal associations with that word. It provides examples of how the words "snake" and "serpent" have different connotations, with "serpent" usually implying something evil. The document also discusses how words related to politicians have taken on somewhat negative associations over time. It then provides a table asking the reader to think of words with positive and negative connotations for different conditions like overweight, short, etc. Finally, it lists some old car names and asks the reader to choose one and answer questions about the image, performance and target consumer implied by that name

Uploaded by

Shanique Grant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A word's denotation is its literal definition.

For example:
Snake: a limbless reptile with a long, scaly body
A word's connotation is all the association we have with it. For example:
"snake in the grass," the biblical serpent, the danger of poisonous snakes, our own fear of
snakes, or a malevolent (evil, bad) person might be called "a real snake"
Connotation can depend on the person who hears the word and brings his or her own associations
to it.
* A plumber might immediately think of a plumbing tool called a snake.
*A biologist might think of the rare Indigo Snake he felt lucky to see the past weekend.
Some words, though, have shades of meaning that are commonly recognized. While "serpent" is
literally a snake, the word "serpent" is usually associated with evil. In today's society,
"politician" has somewhat negative associations, while "statesman" sounds more positive.
Directions: For these conditions, first think of a word with a positive connotation, and then
think of a word with a negative connotation.
Condition

Positive Connotation

Negative Connotation

1. overweight

________________________

___________________

2. short

________________________

___________________

3. not smart

________________________

___________________

4. unattractive

________________________

___________________

5. non-athletic

________________________

___________________

6. self-focused

________________________

___________________

Car Names: Here are some car names from the past: Thunderbird, Falcon, Charger, Comet,
Mustang, Barracuda, Rabbit, Pinto, Gremlin.
Choose one of these cars & answer these questions:___________________________________
1. What sort of image do you get from this name?_____________________________________
2. What kind of performance would you expect from this car?___________________________
3. What kind of person would this product target?_____________________________________
Now, you think of a name for a car. First, decide if your product is a mini-van, SUV, sports
car, luxury car, whatever?_________________________________________________________
Then, think of your target consumer:________________________________________________
Then, think of a name for your product that describes its function and performance and would
appeal to your target cosuumer:____________________________________________________

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