denotation and connotation

An author’s DICTION - is the author's choice of words -

Word choice often has an effect on the reader.

Author's words may be literal -(denotation).

Author's words may have a connotation

Author's words may have figurative meanings. 

A word's Denotation is the dictionary meaning of a word; it is the literal meaning of a word;

EXAMPLE: the dictionary definition of weasel:

weasel: a small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck. 

 

Sentence: The weasel dug a deep hole in my vegetable garden.

A word's connotation shows the emotions connected or associated to a word.

The emotions can be either positive or negative.

A NEUTRAL connotation has no real emotions connected to it.

Example: Negative connotation

Connotation connection to weasel is sneaky; not to be trusted

     Your weasel of a friend always seems to forget his money when you go out to eat together.

Neutral Connotation: thin

Positive Connotation: slender

Negative Connotation: skinny

Many of my friends would like to be slender like the models they see in magazines.

Stacy is so skinny that her clothes never look right on her.