Denotation Literary Definition. Although these literary devices arent exclusive to poetry they are found in all forms of writing poets tend to make the best use of denotation and connotation because the craft of poetry emphasizes language and word choice. The most common type of denotation that youll come across is in literature.
Denotation is the literal meaning of a word. This can be examined in contrast to a words connotation which is its implied meaning. The opposite concept is called connotation which refers to those associations and nuances that a word carries.
The term comes from the Latin word denotationem meaning indication The denotation of a word is its literal definitionits dictionary definitionand contains no emotion.
Whats the difference between connotation and denotation. A words denotation is devoid of elements such as emotion or hidden meaning. You are a dog. Denotation is the literal meaning of a word.
