Identify each word's connotation as positive or negative by dragging and dropping the word into the correct category.

smell

cabin

Positive Connotation

Negative Connotation
Clever

sly

*passionate

pushy

aroma

shack

Positive Connotation: cabin, clever, passionate, aroma

Negative Connotation: smell, sly, pushy, shack

After reading the passage from Barrio Boy, describe how the author uses connotations and figurative language to make his experience come to life.

In the passage from Barrio Boy, the author uses connotations and figurative language to vividly portray his experience. Through carefully chosen words with specific connotations, the author infuses his writing with rich imagery and emotion.

One example of connotation can be seen when the author describes the smells in his grandmother's kitchen. He uses the word "aroma" to describe the enticing scents, which has a positive connotation associated with pleasant and pleasing smells. This choice of word not only conveys the specific sense of smell but also creates a sensory experience for the reader.

Figurative language is another method employed by the author to bring his experience to life. He uses figurative language to paint a picture with words and evoke strong emotions. For instance, when the author states that his grandmother's kitchen was like a "shrine," he is using a simile to emphasize the reverence and importance placed on this space. This figurative language helps the reader understand the significance and sacredness the author associates with his grandmother's kitchen.

Furthermore, the author utilizes metaphor to add depth to his descriptions. When he describes the city as a "crammed aluminum chest," he is using metaphorical language to convey a sense of confinement and overcrowding. This not only provides a vivid image but also captures the author's feelings of congestion and claustrophobia within the bustling city.

Through the use of connotations and figurative language, the author of Barrio Boy successfully brings his experiences to life on the page. These stylistic choices engage the readers' senses and emotions, allowing them to connect with the author's narrative on a deeper level.

2-3 sentences

In the passage from Barrio Boy, the author skillfully employs connotations to evoke the sensory experience of his grandmother's kitchen. By using words with positive connotations like "aroma," the author brings to life the enticing and pleasant scents that permeated the space. Additionally, the author's use of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, helps to create vivid imagery and evoke strong emotions, enabling the reader to better understand and connect with the author's experiences.

I realized that this was our own electric light for us to turn on and off as we pleased. I pushed a chair under it and after some instruction from my mother proceeded to create lightning in the room by turning the switch as fast as I could.

After reading the passage from Barrio Boy, describe how the author uses connotations and figurative language to make his experience come to life.

In the given passage from Barrio Boy, the author utilizes connotations and figurative language to vividly depict his experience. The author's use of the phrase "our own electric light" carries connotations of ownership, authority, and privilege, emphasizing the significance and novelty of having electricity in their home. Additionally, the author employs the metaphor of "creating lightning" to describe the act of turning on the light switch, which not only adds a sense of excitement and power to the experience but also depicts the transformative effect of electricity in their lives. These literary devices effectively bring the author's experience to life, illustrating the newfound sense of control and wonder that electricity brought to their household.

1-2 sentences

In this passage from Barrio Boy, the author uses connotations by describing the electric light as "our own" to convey a sense of ownership and privilege, while the metaphor of "creating lightning" adds excitement and showcases the transformative power of electricity in their lives. These literary devices effectively bring the author's experience to life.

To identify each word's connotation as positive or negative, we can analyze the meaning or emotional association typically associated with the word. Here's how we can categorize the given words:

Positive Connotation:
- smell (typically neutral but can also be positive, depending on the context)
- cabin (typically positive, associated with coziness and relaxation)
- clever (positive, associated with intelligence and resourcefulness)
- passionate (positive, associated with strong emotions and enthusiasm)
- aroma (positive, associated with pleasant smells)

Negative Connotation:
- sly (negative, associated with deceit and cunning)
- pushy (negative, associated with being excessively assertive)
- shack (negative, associated with a run-down or uncomfortable living space)

By considering the typical meanings and emotional responses associated with each word, we can determine whether they have a positive or negative connotation.