Connotation Analysis - On-Demand
- Due No Due Date
- Points 10
- Submitting a file upload
- Attempts 0
- Allowed Attempts 2
On-Demand Connotation Analysis
Task: You will be looking at a poem.. You are to read through the poem to identify and analyze different connotative meanings in contrast to the denotative meanings.. How does this impact the tone? How does this impact the meaning?
Directions:
- Read the poem once thoroughly for comprehension
- Read it a second time, this time annotating for connotative meanings of the words/phrases in contrast to the denotative meanings.
- Choose a specific word/line with a strong connotation to analyze.
- Determine the denotation of the word/phrase
- Determine the connotation of the word/phrase based on the context
- Identify what different meaning/tone is created with the connotation
- In a formal literary analysis (extended paragraph), examine how the connotative meanings of the language connect to the meaning and the tone of the piece.
- Develop a clear claim on how connotative meaning impacts meaning and tone.
- Provide direct evidence from the text that supports your claim
- Include analysis that explicitly connects your evidence back to the claim by explaining how or why the figurative and connotative language impacts meaning and tone.
Extra Resources - Tone Wheel Download Tone Wheel
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Standard |
4 (A) Exemplifying |
3 (B) Meeting |
2 (C) Approaching |
1 (D) Developing |
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Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. |
I have determined figurative and connotative meanings of specific words and thoroughly analyzed the impact of this word choice on meaning and tone.
I have connected the impact of these words or phrases to a major theme from the text and provided additional evidence to support my claim. |
I have determined figurative and connotative meanings of specific words and analyzed the impact of this word choice on meaning and tone. |
I have determined figurative and connotative meanings of words and an impact they have on meaning or tone. While I have identified the impact, I have not explained (analyzed) how or why it impacts the overall meaning or tone. |
I have attempted to determine figurative and connotative meanings of words. The meanings are incorrectly determined, and/or there is no discussion on the impact on meaning or tone. |
Example Response Paragraph - Level 3:
In the poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou a rebellious tone is created when the dust is described as rising. In the text, it states, “But still, like dust, I'll rise” (Angelou, Line 4). The word dust by definition means a particle of dirt. This suggests that it is insignificant. However, the following imagery of rising dust creates the meaning that although considered insignificant it will not be kept down or give up. Thus giving the poem a rebellious tone as it creates the imagery of someone not backing down.
Poem:
Caged Bird
BY MAYA ANGELOU
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
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