Denotation and connotation

Understanding denotation and connotation is the starting point for all media analysis.

Remember the definitions:

Denotation: the literal meaning of something
E.g. A rose is a garden plant

Connotation: the suggestion behind this literal meaning (reading between the lines)
E.g .The rose suggests romance and love.

When writing media analysis, you need to consider the following questions:

Denotation: what do you see?

Connotation: what is suggested? What does it mean?

Analysis: what is the effect on the audience? How is this effect created?

Blog task: advert analysis

Create a new blogpost in your GCSE Media blog called 'Denotation and connotation'.

1) Write an analysis of the WaterAid advert above using denotation, connotation and analysis. What does the advert communicate to the audience?

2) Now choose your own advert from Google images. Add it to your blogpost and write an analysis using denotation and connotation, explaining what the advert is communicating to the audience.

Finish this for homework if you don't complete it in the lesson - due next week.