When a poet wishes to use figurative language, he or she will use words that are


A. ambiguous.
B. both connotative and denotative.
C. only connotative.
D. only denotative.

Study this site, and then tell us what you think.

https://www.etap.org/demo/englishhs/instruction_last.html

From what I have gathered in my Penn F literature book it is B. Both connotative and denotative.

When a poet wishes to use figurative language, he or she will use words that are

When a poet wishes to use figurative language, he or she will use words that are

A. only connotative.
B. ambiguous.
C. only denotative.
D. both connotative and denotative

To determine the correct answer, we need to understand what figurative language is and how it is expressed through words.

Figurative language refers to the use of words or expressions that are not meant to be interpreted literally but rather to create vivid imagery, convey emotions, or enhance the overall meaning of a poem. It includes various figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and more.

Given this definition, we can eliminate options D (only denotative) because denotative words have straightforward, literal meanings, which would not be suitable for expressing figurative language.

Now, let's consider the remaining options:

A. Ambiguous: Ambiguous words have more than one possible interpretation or meaning. While ambiguity can sometimes be used as a literary device, it does not necessarily imply the use of figurative language. Therefore, option A is not the correct answer.

B. Both connotative and denotative: Connotative words have associations, emotions, or feelings attached to them, which can add depth and layers of meaning to a poem. This option acknowledges the importance of both connotative and denotative words, which are both relevant in achieving effective figurative language. Therefore, option B is a strong contender for the correct answer.

C. Only connotative: This option states that poets will use words that are solely connotative. However, this would be limiting for poets, as they frequently utilize a combination of both connotative and denotative words to create figurative language. Therefore, option C is not the correct answer.

Based on the analysis above, the most suitable answer is:

B. Both connotative and denotative.