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Media Studies: Denotation & Connotation

The document discusses the differences between denotation and connotation in media studies. Denotation is a literal description of what is seen in an image, without implications about its meaning. Connotation refers to what an image suggests beyond the literal description. The document provides examples of images and asks readers to write the denotation and then connotations. It explains that understanding the connotations of images used in media allows for interpreting why they were selected.

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344 views20 pages

Media Studies: Denotation & Connotation

The document discusses the differences between denotation and connotation in media studies. Denotation is a literal description of what is seen in an image, without implications about its meaning. Connotation refers to what an image suggests beyond the literal description. The document provides examples of images and asks readers to write the denotation and then connotations. It explains that understanding the connotations of images used in media allows for interpreting why they were selected.

Uploaded by

andykirk31
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Denotation and Connotation

What does it all mean?

Denotation
Denotation is simply a description of what can be seen. On the next slide is a very common image seen by millions of people around the world every day. Now write the title Denotation and Connotation in your exercise books. In your exercise books, write a description of exactly what you can see.

What was your denotation?


Did you write, A: Its the sign for the mens toilets or B: Its a black stick figure of a man on a white background? If you wrote something like B then you have denoted the image correctly.

Lets try that again!


On the next slide is another image seen by millions of people around the world each day. In your exercise books write a denotation of the image. Bear in mind the denotation of the previous image.

How did that go?


Lets have some denotations from the class. Listen to your classmates descriptions.

How many have managed to say what they could see without saying what it represents?

Connotation
So you should now have a good idea of what denotation is. The next step is to discuss connotation. Connotation is what an image suggests. Now try it with the following image. In your exercise books write down what the next symbol suggests.

And your answer is?


This should have been relatively simple. If you have written something like, It suggests there is a womens toilet nearby then you are correct.

Why does this matter to Media Studies?


In Media Studies we deal with images all the time. It is important for us to understand what they are supposed to mean. If we understand an images connotations then we can understand why it has been chosen.

And now?
Over the course of the next few slides are a series of images with prompts. As a class, discuss the connotations of each slide using the prompts to guide you.

Darth Vader
One of movies most infamous villains. What is the colour of his costume and what are its connotations?

Princess Leia
One of movies most iconic heroines. What does the colour of Leias outfit suggest? What are its connotations?

Princess Leia
Now look at Leias pose. This is known as the mode of address. What are the connotations of the way Leia is standing and looking? What does it suggest about her character?

Over to you!
In groups of 3 or 4 look at the next slide and the four images on it. In your exercise books come up with a denotation for each image and then a list of possible connotations. Prepare to discuss your findings with the rest of the class.

What does it all mean?

So?

What did the colour red suggest to you? What does this famous insignia stand for?

And?

What does this iconic shield stand for? What do these buildings represent?

Finally
Your last task for today. Copy these definitions into your exercise book. Denotation: A description of an image or idea. Connotation: A meaning suggested by an image or idea.

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