Name: ____________________________
Positive and Negative Connotations
Connotation is the feeling or emotion that a word evokes in addition to its literal
meaning.
Words can have a positive connotation or a negative connotation.
examples: The scent of the candle (positive connotation)
The odor of the candle (negative connotation)
Denotation is the literal definition of a word.
For each pair of sentences, write a “P” next to the sentence that has a positive
connotation and write an “N” next to the sentence that has a negative connotation.
1. _____ Mr. Henderson is tight-fisted with his money. He is a penny-pincher.
_____ Mr. Henderson manages his money well. He keeps good records of his finances.
2. _____ Colleen makes lists for herself because she is forgetful and absentminded.
_____ Colleen likes to stay organized and on top of things by writing notes for herself.
3. _____ “It's the first day of school today!” Ian said, bouncing up and down excitedly.
_____ “It's the first day of school today,” Ian groaned, pulling the covers over his head.
4. _____ The politician was known for his aggressive personality and questionable ethics.
_____ The politician was characterized by his assertive demeanor and fair policies.
5. _____ The rain fell down on the landscape like a gentle, timid mist.
_____ The rain pounded the land in angry, violent torrents.
6. _____ Vicki's cookies turned out charred and as hard as rocks.
_____ Vicki's cookies came out chewy and perfectly baked.
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ANSWER KEY
Positive and Negative Connotations
Connotation is the feeling or emotion that a word evokes in addition to its literal
meaning.
Words can have a positive connotation or a negative connotation.
examples: The scent of the candle (positive connotation)
The odor of the candle (negative connotation)
Denotation is the literal definition of a word.
For each pair of sentences, write a “P” next to the sentence that has a positive
connotation and write an “N” next to the sentence that has a negative connotation.
1. N Mr. Henderson is tight-fisted with his money. He is a penny-pincher.
P Mr. Henderson manages his money well. He keeps good records of his finances.
2. N Colleen makes lists for herself because she is forgetful and absentminded.
P Colleen likes to stay organized and on top of things by writing notes for herself.
3. P “It's the first day of school today!” Ian said, bouncing up and down excitedly.
N “It's the first day of school today,” Ian groaned, pulling the covers over his head.
4. N The politician was known for his aggressive personality and questionable ethics.
P The politician was characterized by his assertive demeanor and fair policies.
5. P The rain fell down on the landscape like a gentle, timid mist.
N The rain pounded the land in angry, violent torrents.
6. N Vicki's cookies turned out charred and as hard as rocks.
P Vicki's cookies came out chewy and perfectly baked.
LD
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