Contextualization

In language, we have two main forms of interpreting words: denotation and connotation. Denotation refers to the literal, direct, and objective meaning of a word, as defined in the dictionary. For example, the word 'lion' denotes a large feline, king of the jungle. Connotation, on the other hand, is the secondary, symbolic, or emotional meaning that a word can carry beyond its literal sense. In the previous example, 'lion' can be used connotatively to describe a very courageous person.

Both forms of interpretation are used in daily communication, literature, advertising, among others, and are essential for the correct understanding and interpretation of the meaning of messages. Differentiating between denotation and connotation is a key skill for text comprehension, literary analysis, and proper expression of ideas.

Denotation and connotation are fundamental concepts for any form of communication, as they allow us to understand and interpret words not only by their literal meaning but also by their cultural, emotional, and social significance. In many situations, the connotation of a word can be even more important for understanding a text than its denotative meaning.

For example, newspapers, magazines, and news websites use both denotation and connotation in their reports. By carefully selecting words, they can convey not only the facts (denotation) but also their opinions and feelings about these facts (connotation). This leads us to realize that the choice of words in news writing can influence how the reader interprets and evaluates the information presented.

To delve deeper into the topic, we suggest consulting the following resources:

• Book: 'Os conceitos fundamentais da linguística' by Eni Orlandi.
• Website: Portal da Língua Portuguesa
• Articles: 'Denotação e conotação: os dois lados da moeda lexical', available at Scielo.

Practical Activity

Title: 'Denotation and Connotation in Journalism: an Analysis of News'

Project Objective:

• Deepen students' understanding of the concepts of denotation and connotation through the analysis of reports in print and digital newspapers.
• Develop skills to identify the use of denotation and connotation in news writing.
• Improve teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.

Project Description:

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will be responsible for analyzing the use of denotation and connotation in a series of reports from a newspaper of their choice, whether print or digital.

Required Materials:

• Print and/or digital newspapers.
• Computer or laptop with internet access.
• Software for writing and formatting reports (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc).
• Note-taking materials (notebook, pen).

Activity Steps:

1. Material Selection: Each group must select five reports from the same newspaper. These reports should cover different editorial sections (such as politics, economy, sports, entertainment, etc.)

2. Analysis of Reports: Students must carefully read each report and identify words that have connotative and denotative uses.

3. Report Creation: Based on the analysis of the news, each group must prepare a written report with the following components:

   1. Introduction: Should contain a contextualization of the theme (denotation and connotation), the relevance of this learning for students, the application of this knowledge in the real world, and the project's objective.
   2. Development: Students should explain in detail the theory of denotation and connotation, explain in detail how the activity was carried out (the steps followed, difficulties encountered, how they were overcome, etc.), the methodology used for the analysis of the reports, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.
   3. Conclusions: Students should conclude the work by summarizing the main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the activity.
   4. Bibliography: Sources used for the project, such as books, websites, videos, etc., should be indicated.

Project Deliverables:

• Written report with the analysis of the reports according to the instructions above.
• Oral presentation of the work (optional).

During the report preparation, students should practice the correct use of language, apply the concepts of denotation and connotation in practice, and develop teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students should effectively manage the available time for project completion.