Denotation, Connotation,
Stress, Inflection and Subtext
Learning Goals:
● We are learning about how words create meaning the
play
● We will be able to recognize the difference between
denotation and connotation
● We are learning how all of these above qualities
contribute to character meaning
Definitions we need:
Denotation: Dictionary meaning of a word
Connotation: The implied meaning of a word
Stress: the force with which a sound or syllable is spoken
inflection: a change in pitch or tone (consider the change
in tone when asking a question)
subtext: the thoughts of the character as he speaks the
words in the text
Denotation and Connotation
Cheap
Inexpensive
Connotation
skinny
svelte
thin
scrawny
slim
Inflection
"Jeff didn't steal the book, did he?"
pitch -- up on "did he?"
pitch -- down on "did he?"
What is implied about the speaker's
message?
"I'm so glad you're here this
evening"
"I loved her most and thought to set my rest
on her kind nursery."
"Come not between the dragon and his
wrath".
Conclusions-- what have we
learned?