Denotation: the dictionary definition of a word
Connotation: the symbolic meaning. (this is the words impact/socially understood meaning of the word/the subtext)
For example during class Cassius used the word "cripple". The dictionary definition of the word cripple means unable to walk. But when used in a sentence with certain context words, you call someone a cripple you could be referring to them as weak. When we look at connotation we look at the positive and negative effects the word has on the audience; it falls under a positive and negative scale.
Another example we used during class:
JJ is a student athlete
JJ is a jock
When we look at the example above, think about the denotation of the words in red. BOTH of them mean that JJ is an athlete. But what if we looked at the connotation?
JJ is a student athlete
JJ is a jock
Well now when we read the first sentence, when we read the words "student athlete" it falls under the positive side of the connotation scale. It refers to JJ that he is intelligent and he is an athlete. Versus the second sentence when the word "jock" is used, it's connotation is negative and refers to him as someone who only focuses on sports and nothing else.
How do we use denotation and connotation when analyzing film?
For denotation we look at the directors choices and what those choices should literally mean.
For connotation parts of film, we look at words that describe the objective parts of the film.
During our class today we were also introduced to out "Be Reel" board. A board in which we will write down the names of movies we watched on note cards and pin them to the board based on our objective and subjective analysis.
One more thing, we were introduced to a project we will be working on: our "Be Reel" Blog
Due Date: Oct. 10 - 40 points
Goal: We will watch a movie for homework and write an evaluation about it 400-500 words + Title + Note card
Paragraph one: objective evaluation
Evaluate the objective qualities of the text
What does THE FILM do well/poorly → We will write it on the blog page
Paragraph two: subjective evaluation
Evaluate your subjective reaction to the text
What did YOU think about the choices from paragraph 1
BE NEGATIVE OR BE POSITIVE ABOUT YOUR EVALUATION - stuff that was good and
stuff that was bad but be descriptive
stuff that was bad but be descriptive
Great work here, Natalia! Excellent use of color and layout to help communicate the ideas that we talked about in class yesterday. If I had been absent, then this would have given me valuable insight into our learning!
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