Word choice & connotation
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All 10 Flashcards — Word choice & connotation
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Question
What is diction?
Answer
A writer's word choice — the exact words they pick.
Question
What is connotation?
Answer
The feelings and ideas a word carries beyond its plain meaning.
Question
What is loaded (emotive) language?
Answer
Words chosen to push a strong feeling — ‘slashed’, ‘mob’.
Question
What is a euphemism?
Answer
A gentle word used in place of a harsher one — ‘passed away’ for ‘died’.
Question
‘home’ vs ‘house’ — what's the difference?
Answer
Same building; ‘home’ carries warmth (connotation), ‘house’ is neutral.
Question
How do you analyse a word choice?
Answer
Name the word + the feeling it carries + what it makes the reader think.
Question
Why do writers use euphemisms?
Answer
To soften or hide a harsh truth — often to play something down.
Question
A loaded verb for ‘cut’?
Answer
‘slashed’ / ‘butchered’ — they add violence.
Question
Denotation vs connotation?
Answer
Denotation = the plain dictionary meaning; connotation = the feelings around it.
Question
Commonest word-choice mistake?
Answer
Saying ‘descriptive language’ without naming the word or its feeling.
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Full study notes for Word choice & connotation
Topic 1.2 hub
Word choice & tone
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English A Lang & Lit exam skills
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