Selective Connotation
and Word Choice
Definition:
The purposeful selection of
words that will imply stronger negative or positive judgment
to aid the argument or help present the idea.
Examples:
A radio deejay discusses the
news report that has just ended and refers to the student
protesters as “rabble rousers.”
Giant Eagle’s
brand of fabric softener is labeled exactly that. It doesn’t
sell as well as the one called Snuggle.
The word responsive
has a positive connotation; the word obnoxious suggests
the opposite.
A word such as brawny has a positive or
connotation; fat, however, has a negative connotation.
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Does paying attention
to connotation and word choice make a difference in persuasive
writing? Why or why not?
-
If you were a politician running
on a campaign that urged America to bring home all of
its troops and let the world
fend for itself, what words would be helpful in your
speeches?
-
Pretend you are the politician running against
#2 above. Match his words with your own. Be sure to select
words
with connotations that will help your cause.
-
How are
connotations assigned? Do they change? How?
-
Make a list
of at least 10 cars that have names selected for their
connotations. Is this word choice influential
in selling cars? Defend your answer.
Download
a PDF file of the student handout, Selective Connotation and
Word Choice. |
