Sorting Words by Positive, Neutral and Negative Connotation
About this lesson
Students look at sets of words with similar meanings and decide which feel positive, neutral or negative. They then rewrite a sentence to change its tone. This practises noticing how word choice shapes a reader's impression. It takes about 12 minutes and needs only a whiteboard, scrap paper and pencils.
- Grade
- 7
- Subject
- ELA
- Time
- 12 min
- Prep
- 3 min
Objective
Students will distinguish between positive, neutral and negative connotations of similar words and use word choice to change the tone of a sentence.
Prep
3 min: write five word sets on the board (thrifty/cheap/economical, curious/nosy/interested, confident/arrogant/self-assured, slim/skinny/thin, determined/stubborn/persistent)
Materials
- whiteboard and marker
- scrap paper
- pencils
Steps
- Say: 'Words can mean nearly the same thing but carry different feelings. That feeling is called connotation.' Model the first set by labelling thrifty positive, economical neutral and cheap negative, and explain why.
- In pairs, students copy the remaining four sets onto scrap paper and label each word positive, neutral or negative in about 4 minutes.
- Call on pairs to share one set and their reasoning, and invite other pairs to disagree politely if they sorted it differently.
- Write 'My neighbour is ___ about what happens on our street.' Have each student write two versions, one positive and one negative, using a word from the board or their own.
- Have three or four students read both versions aloud while the class names the impression each one gives of the neighbour.
Quick Check
Say a new trio aloud (relaxed, lazy, calm) and have students show one, two or three fingers for positive, neutral or negative on 'lazy'.
Differentiation
Make it easier: Give only two words per set (one positive, one negative) and skip the neutral category.
Make it harder: Have students add a fourth word of their own to each set and write a short paragraph about one person that shifts from positive to negative connotation halfway through.
Good For
- Supply teacher
- End of day
- Review
- Early finishers
