Denotation and Connotation

Denotation and Connotation

 

• Denotation and connotation are media words.
• They are used when analysing images  (still or moving)
• Producers use denotation and connotation is used to target a specific audience

 

Denotation-

What you see.

 

Connation-

What does the image mean? What is being presented?

 

Represent-

To represent recreate an event or image with meaning.

 

Denote	What you see Denote, signified, denotation, shown, portrays, illustrates.
Connotes	The meaning behind what you see Represents connotes, signifies, infers, implies, indicates.

 

 

PDC

Point

Denotation

Connotation

 

Point

• State what textual analysis section I am analysing
• Sound
• Mise en scene
• Cinematography
• Editing

 

(e.g Within the mise en scene the women are represented to be inferior)

 

Denote

• What you see
• Specific example from the extract
• You must use mise-en-scene, editing and cinematography terms.
• You should describe as though the examiner has never seen the extract.

 

(e.g The cinematography denotes a close up of a woman eye.

        Denoted in this extract is the use of red within the mise-en-scene

        Illustrated in the next clip is

       The juxtaposition of the man and woman is portrayed in the editing)

 

 

 

Connote

• What it means?
• What is the representation
• What do you think the deeper meaning is/ what does the director want the audience to interpret.

 

(e.g The connotaion of the close up is

       The colour red within the mise-en-scene signifies

       The cross cutting represents)

 

Represent

• When you want to recreate an image
• Every representation is different
• People are different
•  

 

The image is of an indie pop artist. The image denotes a close up of a blurred man with one eye closed and the other covered with his eyes. The photo shows black on the left hand side fading to psychedelic looking coloured tiles. The colours and having his eyes shut could connote that he is dreaming or fantasizing about his music. The blur could represent the transition from reality to dream. His neutral facial expression signifies peace.