Literary Terms
Week 8
connotation
The feelings and
associations that a word
suggests
connotation
•  Connotation is the
flavor of a word
connotation
•  Which has a positive
connotation, and
which has a negative
connotation?
•  Strong-willed
•  Pig-headed
connotation
•  Both mean stubborn,
but strong-willed
connotes admiration
for someone s
convictions, while
pig-headed connotes
frustration in dealing
with someone
connotation
•  Hollywood holds
connotations of
romance and
glittering success
connotation
•  house
•  home
•  Which has a warmer
connotation?
connotation
•  thrifty
•  penny-pinching
•  Which has a nicer
connotation?
connotation
•  pushy
•  aggressive
•  Which has a nicer
connotation?
connotation
•  chef
•  cook
•  Which has a nicer
connotation?
connotation
•  slender
•  skinny
•  Which has a nicer
connotation?
Literary Terms
Week 8
denotation
The literal, dictionary
definition of a word
denotation
the dictionary definition
denotation
the dictionary definition
Literary Terms
Week 8
Description (descriptive writing)
The kind of writing that creates a
clear image of something, usually by
using details that appeal to one or
more of the senses: sight, hearing,
smell, taste, and touch
Descriptive Writing Uses
The Five Senses
Literary Terms
Week 8
imagery
Language that appeals to the
senses
Literary Terms
Week 8
symbol
A person, a place, a thing, or an
event that has its own meaning
and stands for something beyond
itself as well
symbol
•  What do these
symbolize?
symbol
What do these symbolize?
Skull and crossbones - danger
dove - peace
symbol
What does this symbolize?
The red rose stands for true love
Literary Terms
Week 8
fable
A brief story in prose or verse
that teaches a moral or gives a
practical lesson about how to get
along in life
fable
The Lion and the Mouse (Aesop)
Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began
running up and down upon him; this soon wakened
the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and
opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O
King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I
shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be
able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion
was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to
help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.
Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and
the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the
King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a
wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse
happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in
which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed
away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts.
"Was I not right?"said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.
The Lion and the Mouse by Arlene Graston
fable
The Fox and the Grapes (Aesop)
One hot summer's day a Fox was
strolling through an orchard till he came
to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a
vine which had been trained over a lofty
branch. "Just the thing to quench my
thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few
paces, he took a run and a jump, and just
missed the bunch. Turning round again
with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up,
but with no greater success. Again and
again he tried after the tempting morsel,
but at last had to give it up, and walked
away with his nose in the air, saying: "I
am sure they are sour.”
It is easy to despise what you cannot get.
fable
The Fox and the Goat (Aesop)
By an unlucky chance a Fox fell into a
deep well from which he could not get
out. A Goat passed by shortly afterwards,
and asked the Fox what he was doing
down there. "Oh, have you not heard?"
said the Fox; "there is going to be a great
drought, so I jumped down here in order
to be sure to have water by me. Why
don't you come down too?" The Goat
thought well of this advice, and jumped
down into the well. But the Fox
immediately jumped on her back, and by
putting his foot on her long horns
managed to jump up to the edge of the
well. "Good-bye, friend," said the Fox,
"remember next time,
"Never trust the advice of a man in
difficulties."
fable: The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop)
The Hare was once boasting of his speed
before the other animals.
"I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I
put forth my full speed. I challenge any one
here to race with me.”
The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your
challenge.”
"That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could
dance round you all the way”
"Keep your boasting till you've beaten,"
answered the Tortoise. "Shall we race?”
So a course was fixed and a start was made.
The Hare darted almost out of sight at once,
but soon stopped and, to show his contempt
for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The
Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and
when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the
Tortoise just near the winning-post and could
not run up in time to save the race. Then said
the Tortoise:
"Plodding wins the race."
Literary Terms
Week 8
myth
A story that explains
something about the world
and typically involves gods
or other superhuman beings
myth
•  Echo and
Narcissus
John William Waterhouse, English Pre-Raphaelite Painter, 1849-1917