Denotative and connotative meanings this activity will help you meet this educational goal: you will analyze context to distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words. Directions
read the instructions for this self-checked activity. type in your response to each question, and check your answers. At the end of the activity, write a brief evaluation of your work.

Activity
in this activity, you will select either a fiction text or a nonfiction text. as you read, identify words that have connotative meaning. analyze the context clues and discuss the denotative and connotative meanings of the words you select.

FICION TEXT: “A THUNDERSTROM” BY EMILY DICKINSON

NON-FICION TEXT: “WHAT IS REQUIRED: THE PRICE AND THE PROMISE OF CITIZENSHIP” BY BARACK OBAMA (excerpt)

What effect does this excerpt have? the line of the horizon was clear and hard against the sky, and in one particular quarter it showed black against a silvery climbing [glow] that grew and grew. at last, over the rim of the waiting earth, the moon lifted with slow majesty till it swung clear of the horizon and rode off, free of *moorings; and once more they began to see surfaces—meadows wide-spread, and quiet gardens, and the river itself from bank to bank, all softly disclosed, all washed clean of mystery and terror, all radiant again as by day, but with a difference that was tremendous. their old haunts greeted them again in other *raiment, as if they had slipped away and put on this pure new apparel and come quietly back, smiling as they shyly waited to see if they would be recognized again under it. fastening their boat to a willow, the friends landed in this silent, silver kingdom, and patiently explored . . then a change began slowly to declare itself. the horizon became clearer, field and tree came more into sight, and somehow with a different look; the mystery began to drop away from them. a bird piped suddenly, and was still; and a light breeze sprang up . . rat . . sat up suddenly and listened with a passionate intentness. mole, who with gentle strokes was just keeping the boat moving while he scanned the banks with care, looked at him with curiosity.

Commander mckee checked the dials and switches in the shuttle cockpit and determined that they were functioning normally. he then tested the communications systems that connected his ship with the mission control headquarters. he checked the fuel gauges and saw that there was enough fuel for the months-long trip to saturn. all of the other gauges and meters checked out normal, and the idling engines gave off a strong, reassuring hum. after a final glance around, mckee declared that the shuttle was finally ready for takeoff. he readied the brave astronauts under his command and the ground crew alertly awaiting the launch. the rocket took off and, racing through space, eventually arrived at saturn, where commander mckee and his assistants built the first successful human colony. 126 words, 9.8 flesch, 1180 lexile how could a change in emphasis best develop the events in this passage, making for a more interesting and exciting read?

Which historical detail can best clarify a reader’s understanding of the information in the excerpt? immigrant factory workers who spoke the same language were separated from each other at work. immigrant factory workers who spoke the same language were known to talk too much at work. immigrant factory workers had to pay rent for their chairs and the supplies they needed at work. immigrant factory workers were crowded into unsafe buildings with locked doors and fire escapes.