4. Dennotation : The exact,
literal meaning of a word
The denotative or literal
interpretation of warm
= nearly hot (actual
temperature)
“The family sat
together in front
of a warm fire.”
5. Connotation : The unspoken,
hidden meaning that gives a word
more emotional impact.
The connotative or
figurative
interpretation of
warm = comforting;
friendly.
“The family sat together in
front of a warm fire.”
7. Thin, Slim, or Skinny
His body looks
thin.
His body looks
slim.
His body looks
skinny .
(neutral)
(positive)
(negative)
8. Which one has positive
connotation?
She had a childlike humor.
She had a childish humor.
9. Which one has positive
connotation?
Adel looks eccentric
with his wig.
Adel looks weirdo
with his wig.
10. Tone
• Tone is the author’s
attitude toward the
writing (his characters,
the situation) and the
readers.
11. Mood
• Mood is the
general
atmosphere
created by the
author’s words.
12. Tone example
And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t know
why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the soil
possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasn’t
the best. We complained about it. So we’ve got thirty kids
there, each kid had his or her own little tree to plant and
we’ve got these thirty dead trees. All these kids looking at
these little brown sticks, it was depressing.
Consider the tone of The School by Donald Barthelme.
Here, words like "death" and "depressing" set a negative
or unhappy tone.
13. Mood example
Mood : dreary, depressed.
Like words : alone, hungry,
shivering, mother’s prisoner.
Winter 1970, Daly City, California
– I’m alone. I’m hungry and I’m
shivering in the dark. I sit on top
of my hands at the bottom of the
stairs in the garage. My head is
tilted backward. My hands
became numb hours ago. My neck
and my shoulder muscles begin to
throb. But that’s nothing new- I’ve
learned to turn off the pain. I’m
mother’s prisoner.
14. Last year, I went on an adventurous camping trip with my family to
the mountains. Not long after I arrived, I decided to go on a hike
alone, to see my surroundings and to get closer with the untamed
nature around me. The blistering heat pounded upon my face as I
trudged my way up the steep trail, but I managed to keep cool
under the shade of the evergreen forest. The sound of birds
chirping, the smell of pine filled my senses with delight. I was far
away from the hustle and bustle of the city, where one hears the
rumblings of automobile engines and smells the aroma of coffee
vendors on every corner. This was much different. As I walked, I felt
at peace with the world. Time seemed to slow down like a turtle’s
dawdling crawl. The ocean blue sky above me looked like I could
touch it and feel its’ warm, soothing energy.
What are the tone and mood from this paragraph?
15. Subjective
• Subjective is a statement that
has been colored by the
character of the speaker or
writer. It is one person's opinion.
17. Warning !
Some text may
combine objective
and subjective
writing.
• For example, a
biographer.
18. Example :
The private party room was about the size of a
small airplane cabin. Roger and Mabel were
dancing together. Rita was eating a piece of
chocolate that she had cut into three bites.
"This is amazing!" she said, licking the pudding
from her fingers. A Labrador retriever was
sleeping in the corner.
What kind of report based on the text above?
Objective
19. Example :
The private party room was cramped. Although
Roger and Mabel managed to dance with one
another, they looked as if their steps were
uncomfortable and stilted. Poor Rita had to satisfy
herself by eating. Though she said, "This is
amazing," as she munched on a chocolate, it was
obvious she was being sarcastic. The party was so
boring that the dog in the corner couldn't even
stay awake!
What kind of report based on the text above?
Subjective