A Word Means In Two Basic Ways
- Denotation: the dictionary meaning a word holds; its surface meaning.
- Connotation: extra meaning a word carries, or “suggests”; the meaning may be cultural, thematically related to rest of poem’s content. Also, a word or phrase may depend on a reader understanding alternate meanings in dictionary, sound-relations to other words (insure/ensure), context of usage, & other credible connections of the words to the rest of the text.
- Writers use figures of speech to create connotations
- Metaphors
- Similes
- Allusions
- Hyperbole
- Idioms and regionalisms
- & many more
A Writer Must Understand the Difference Between Precision and Accuracy
- Accuracy: the word choice has correct denotative meaning
- Precision: the word choice has connotations that meet the action/situation, including tone.
- Examples of precision: The scalpel slices. The ax hacks.
- Examples of imprecision: The scalpel hacks!
- If a word/phrase doesn’t seem to fit the situation in a published piece, reflect upon why the author may have used an imprecise word/phrase.
"Facing It" by Yusef Komunyakaa gives us a great poem to start our work together in how:
1. I want you to actively read (which entails highlighting and defining words) and actively, critically think moving forward in your life.
2. The importance of language. Crafting (not "writing") an effective sentence requires:
- Solid word choice for clear action
- Appropriate contextual clauses and words
- Active, coherent sentence structure (syntax) that builds upon the base S-V-O
"Four Letter Word" by Hugh Martin is a great example of descriptive, concise language that:
- Connotes speaker's tone
- Provides clear settings with direct, specific word choice
- Uses dialogues that relate to event and setting
- shows how to get "in media res"
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