Explain how words have both denotative and connotative
meanings, and give an example of a word that might cause
confusion in a speech because of the two levels of meaning.
What will be an ideal response?
Words have denotative meanings which are the dictionary, agreed-upon
meanings. Words also have connotative meanings, which are the emotional, personal
reactions one might have to a word. An example that might cause confusion would be
liberal. In the dictionary, it means generous in amount or in giving. However, different
people have very different connotative meanings for liberal. To some, it means progressive,
open-minded, and fair. To others, it conjures up images of big government, big spending,
and non-traditional values.
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The context of a public-speaking experience includes elements such as
a. audience feedback. b. physiological noise. c. the speaker's cultural traditions and expectations. d. the speaker's level of experience.
A doctor who demonstrates the use of a heart-lung machine to medical students is
a. informing b. persuading c. entertaining d. none of the above e. all of the above