Homework Week of 9/17. Due Friday, 9/21
Name:__________________________________________Period:_______________Date:____________________
Part One: Often two words mean roughly the same thing, except that one has an unfavorable (negative), the other, a favorable (positive), connotation. Thus, although you may like to think of yourself as an idealist, people who do not sympathize with your attitudes might call you a dreamer. For the following pairs of terms, write short explanations of why
you might like to be described by one term but not the other. Choose four to do. Make sure you label which pair you are
doing.
1. self-confident/conceited
2. assertive/pushy
3. firm/stubborn
4. hard-working/workaholic
5. flexible/indecisive
6. casual/sloppy
7. mature/old
1. Pair of words you chose:________________________
2. Pair of words you chose:________________________
Explanation:____________________________________
Explanation:___________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
3. Pair of words you chose:________________________
4. Pair of words you chose:________________________
Explanation:____________________________________
Explanation:____________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Part Two: For each pair of words and a phrase, list the one that is positive in the “Positive Connotation” category, the one that is negative in the “Negative Connotation” category, and the phrase that is a more neutral definition for both words in the "Denotation" column.
1.
gaze, look steadily, stare fragrance, odor, a
smell sensed by the olfactory nerve
2.
brainwash, persuade, influence one way or
another
3.
delayed, not on time, tardy
4.
somewhat interested, nosy, curious
5.
lazily, without haste, leisurely
7. ask of someone, demand, request
14. unique, not commonly found, strange
8.
gathering, a large group, mob
15. find, detect, snoop
9.
slim, skinny, less than average build
16. inexpensive, fairly priced, or cheap
10. discuss with others, debate, argue
11. observe, watch, spy
12. a young age, youthful, immature
17. isolation, privacy, having an opportunity to be
alone
18. assertive, firmly confident, pushy
13. not having a care, irresponsible, carefree
Positive
Denotation (Neutral)
Negative
Part Three: Think of a word you would like to define. (Types of people, emotions, common objects, and actions are
the best choices. For example: firefighter, mother, cop, nurse, generous, depressed, sports drinks, electronics, running, dancing, etc.)
You may NOT choose cell phones, or anything similar to a cell phone.
Next, fill in the chart below to define your word.
Word:
Example Strategy
Function Strategy
Negation Strategy
Example Strategy: Uses examples to help the reader understand the definition. Examples can also come from texts
or other media.
Function Strategy: Demonstrates how the concept functions in the real world. Consider how your concept works,
or what it does.
Negation Strategy: Explains what something is by showing what it is not. Be sure to explain what your concept is
not.