Context and connotation
In this lesson, we will continue our study of non-fiction.
So far, we've learned what non-fiction is and the text features of non-fiction.
This lesson will go a bit further into the analysis (looking closely) at how non-fiction is written and how we should read it to get the most information we can we can from it.
So far, we've learned what non-fiction is and the text features of non-fiction.
This lesson will go a bit further into the analysis (looking closely) at how non-fiction is written and how we should read it to get the most information we can we can from it.
Context
Reading well means using context clues to help figure out unknown words.
Being a good reader doesn't mean that you know all the words in the whole wide world. Even very good readers come across words they are not sure of or that they've never seen before.
The difference between being a reader that struggles and a reader that excels comes with how you use reading techniques.
As well as knowing how to use the text features of non-fiction, you should also be comfortable with using context clues to help you when you get to a word you don't know.
Context clues means that you use the words around an unknown word to help you figure out what the unknown word means.
The difference between being a reader that struggles and a reader that excels comes with how you use reading techniques.
As well as knowing how to use the text features of non-fiction, you should also be comfortable with using context clues to help you when you get to a word you don't know.
Context clues means that you use the words around an unknown word to help you figure out what the unknown word means.
The interactive on slide 4 gives you practice with your context clues skills.
Context clues is a reading strategy dealing with what to do when you come across an unknown word.
There is another skill that good readers should be able to do, and that is analyze (take a careful look and
think about) the words an author has chosen to use...
Context clues is a reading strategy dealing with what to do when you come across an unknown word.
There is another skill that good readers should be able to do, and that is analyze (take a careful look and
think about) the words an author has chosen to use...
connotation
Words have an affect on people.
Words give information, but they can also make an emotional impact.
The informational part of a words is its dictionary definition--its denotation.
The emotional impact a word has is called its connotation.
This lesson focus on connotation, but really, to understand connotation you need to understand denotation as well. You need to know how both denotation and connotation work and how authors use words to affect their audience.
The example on slide 5 of September 11th is a pretty good visual representation of denotation and connotation.
This video gives some more examples of denotation, connotation and how you can analyze connotation for positive or negative affect.
Words give information, but they can also make an emotional impact.
The informational part of a words is its dictionary definition--its denotation.
The emotional impact a word has is called its connotation.
This lesson focus on connotation, but really, to understand connotation you need to understand denotation as well. You need to know how both denotation and connotation work and how authors use words to affect their audience.
The example on slide 5 of September 11th is a pretty good visual representation of denotation and connotation.
This video gives some more examples of denotation, connotation and how you can analyze connotation for positive or negative affect.
On slide 6, 7 and 8 you can practice your connotation analyzing skills.
Assessment: portfolio
Portfolio--a portfolio assignment in Connexus is any assignment that is not a quiz, test or discussion. Usually a portfolio means a collection of work (an artist would have a portfolio of their artwork), but in Connexus, a portfolio basically means that you'll be completing a worksheet (aka graphic organizer) or typing up a Word document. Portfolio assignments are turned in by uploading them into the lesson drop box.
Here are step-by-step instructions for portfolios in general:
Here are step-by-step instructions for portfolios in general:
The portfolio assignment in lesson 6 has several instructions, but basically you are writing a paragraph (on a Word doc.) of no fewer than 5 sentences explaining how your reading can be improved by using context clues and knowing how to analyze the connotation of words. Include three words you were able to figure out using context clues and also include 5 words in the article excerpt that have a positive connotation.
The assignment asks you to read part of an article about William Kamkwaba that is hyperlinked at the top of the Assessment Instructions slide.
Remember, William Kamkwamba was the boy in Mali that built windmills to help his starving community.
ALTERNATIVE ASSESMENT:
Rewrite the article excerpt using words that have negative connotation.
Upload to the lesson 6 drop box.
The assignment asks you to read part of an article about William Kamkwaba that is hyperlinked at the top of the Assessment Instructions slide.
Remember, William Kamkwamba was the boy in Mali that built windmills to help his starving community.
ALTERNATIVE ASSESMENT:
Rewrite the article excerpt using words that have negative connotation.
Upload to the lesson 6 drop box.