Tone Diction Connotation

Which word carries a more positive connotation?

We saw ________ fauna and flora on our walk through the forest.

• weird

• strange

• interesting

Which word carries a more negative connotation?

The fresh paw prints - that our guide identified as belonging to a black bear - ___________me.

• scared

• frightened

• unsettled

Just when I thought things could  not get more ridiculous, Rebecca's little terrier, all dressed up in its knitted blue winter outfit, poked its head out of the pink polka dot doggy tote!  The outfit was an odd sweater-and-hood combination.  Perhaps Rebecca thought it flattered Fluffy's eyes.  Fluffy looked around blankly, as if to ask what was so amusing.
What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

• Bitter

• Respectful 

• Objective

• Humorous 

Which phrase has a positive connotation?

• strong reek

• strong aroma

Referring to someone's house as a "shack" would have a __________ connotation.

• positive

• negative

Diction is...

• Using figurative language and details to set the tone

• Using sentence structure and punctuation to set the tone

• Using specific words to set the tone

• Using a dictionary to look up a word

CHALLENGE: An author's diction can give us insight into how s/he feels about the topic; we refer to this as _____________. Furthermore, diction can cause the reader/listener to feel certain emotions, thereby creating a certain atmosphere; this we refer to as ______________.

(We covered these terms last week.)

• opinion/tone

• tone/mood

• mood/evocation

Language that is free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and contractions; often contains polysyllabic words and sophisticated syntax; used in professional meetings, speeches, academic writings, and so forth.

• formal

• informal

• slang

Words that are similar in meaning, but have varying levels of intensity

• denotation

• connotation

• shades of meaning

Which word carries a more positive connotation?

• A) harsh

• B) stern

• C) firm

• D) gentle