Connotations and Word Choices

<h3>What are connotations?</h3>

<p>Connotations are the <strong>associations and feelings</strong> a word carries beyond its literal dictionary definition.</p>

<h3>Example</h3>

<p>The word <strong>"home"</strong> literally means a place where someone lives. But its connotations include: warmth, safety, belonging, family, comfort.</p>

<p>Compare: <strong>"house"</strong> — same literal meaning, but more neutral, less emotional.</p>

<h3>Word Classes and Their Effects</h3>

<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse">

<tr style="background:#f0f9f4"><th style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">Word Class</th><th style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">What to analyse</th></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd"><strong>Verbs</strong></td><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">Action, pace, character's nature (stalked vs walked)</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd"><strong>Adjectives</strong></td><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">Atmosphere, description, attitudes</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd"><strong>Adverbs</strong></td><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">Manner, degree of action</td></tr>

<tr><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd"><strong>Nouns</strong></td><td style="padding:8px;border:1px solid #ddd">What the writer chooses to name or focus on</td></tr>

</table>