英语专四写作3Diction 2 Connotation Denotation General Specific Abstract Concrete.ppt

Diction II Questions : How many levels of diction are there in a language? What are they? II. The Exact Word 1. Denotation and Connotation A word’s denotation is what it literally means, as defined by the dictionary. （本义） A word’s connotation is the feeling or idea suggested by the word. （涵义） Woman Denotation meaning: An adult female human being. Connotation meaning: frail, prone to tears, emotional “Anyway, she is a woman.” Winter: “Winter” denotes “ the coldest season of the year, regarded in the North Temperate Zone as including the months of December, January, & February.” “Winter” also connotes many feelings or ideas as “desolate, bitter, cold, icy, barren, chill, white, dead trees, snow at the same time. Laughter drives winter from the mind. She is in the winter of her life. She gave a wintry greeting to her colleagues. Compare with the following sentences, which one is better, why? Laughter drives sadness from the mind. She is in the most difficult period of her life. She gave a cold greeting to her colleagues. storm: a rough weather condition with wind, rain, and often lightning His last words brought on another storm. The book provoked a storm of controversy. The mob stormed through the streets. He turned back and met her stormy eyes. Mother: female parent The old lady mothered him during his illness. The boy is spoiled because you have been mothering him Library: a place where books may be read or borrowed. He is a walking library. He is a boring person because all he has is library knowledge. country ( territory) nation (people) state (political organization) land (feeling) a peace-loving ______ _____-owned enterprises China is the third largest ________ in the world.) Tears rolled down the old man’s cheeks when on the plane he caught sight of his native _____ which he left 30 years ago. Politician vs. statesman Politician implies a person who is in public life merely for persona