Short on time? This page is the recap. For explanations and worked examples, use the full study guide.
Recap
- Denotation: the literal, dictionary meaning.
- Connotation: the associations, feelings and judgements a word carries.
- Word choice contributes to tone and style.
- In reading, explain how word choice contributes to tone or style. In writing, use words strategically to convey a specific tone or style.
Key relationships
| Neutral | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| walk | stroll | trudge |
| determined | resolute | stubborn |
| thrifty (admiring) | frugal | stingy |
| crowd | gathering | mob |
| unusual | distinctive | peculiar |
| Analysis step | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | Which words stand out? |
| 2 | What do they connote? |
| 3 | What might the writer have said instead? |
| 4 | What attitude or purpose does the choice serve? |
Assumptions and conventions
- Read a word in its sentence; context can alter connotation.
- Consider the audience: connotations vary.
- Quote the word, then explain it.
- Support strong connotations with reasoning.
Mistakes to avoid
- Listing words without explaining connotation.
- Saying “this has a negative connotation” without saying what it suggests.
- Treating synonyms as identical.
- Using a loaded word the evidence does not support.
- Mixing connotations so the tone is confused.
- Overlooking neutral choices as a strategy.
- Ignoring audience when choosing words.
Worked mini-example
Compare “The crowd gathered” and “The mob gathered”. Both refer to a large group of people, so the denotation is almost the same. “Gathered crowd” is neutral to warm; “mob” suggests disorder and menace. A writer who chose “mob” invites the reader to fear the group.
On the exam
In a reading question about word choice, quote the word, name its connotation and link it to tone. In a writing question, choose the word whose connotation matches the audience and purpose, and avoid loaded words that the evidence cannot support.
Sentence frames for analysis
- “The word ‘…’ connotes …, which suggests the writer sees … as ….”
- “By choosing ‘…’ over the more neutral ‘…’, the writer invites the audience to ….”
- “The positive connotations of ‘…’ and ‘…’ build an attitude of … toward …, which serves the writer’s purpose of ….”
- “Although ‘…’ and ‘…’ both mean …, ‘…’ carries a judgement of ….”
Use a frame only as a start; always replace the blanks with quoted words and a specific effect.
Common pairs to practise
| Neutral | Warmer | Cooler or harsher |
|---|---|---|
| old | seasoned | outdated |
| quiet | peaceful | dull |
| cautious | prudent | timid |
| talkative | friendly | chattering |
For each pair, say what a writer gains by choosing the warmer or the harsher word, and for which audience.
Quick self-check
- Which has the more negative connotation, “thrifty” or “stingy”? (Stingy.)
- What does “boasted liberty” do that “liberty” alone does not? (Adds a negative connotation of empty bragging, undercutting the praise.)
- Why might a writer choose a neutral word? (To appear objective or avoid inflaming the audience.)
Next: practice questions.