Denotation, Connotation & Genre

Lesson Goals Recap the differences between Denotation and Connotation

Use these to identify messages and values within a text Identify different codes and conventions of genres

Recognise the importance of genre to audiences and institutions

2 terms for your Glossary

• Denotation

This is what you can see

• Connotation

This is what it means

Let’s try it out

Is this man a hero or villain?

What are the connotations of this picture?

Is this man a hero or a villain?

What are the connotations of this picture?

Film Genre

Genre: What does the word mean? Genre is a way of grouping texts by identifying common codes and conventions or characteristics. How can we identify a particular genre? What sort of features should we consider?

Settings, props, content and subject matter, themes, mood, period, plot, central narrative events, motifs,

styles, structures, situations, stars…

Guess the Genre Look carefully at the film posters and try to guess what genre

the film is.

Look carefully at the images used, the name of the films and the dominant colours to help you work out the genres.

Write down the film title and what genre you think it is PLUS 2

reasons why (based on denotation – e.g. what you can see)

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Write down what genre you think these films are…

Gen

re

Storylines/ Events

Characters Settings Costumes/

Props Themes/

Mood

Science Fiction

War

Action-Adventure

Romantic Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Western

Genres…why?

Answer the following questions in your book…

• Why do film genres exist?

• What genres do you like and why?

• What genres do you not like and why?

Your favourite film genre

• What is your favourite genre of film?

• Name it and name at least 4 films that fit the genre

My favourite genre is…

Characters Settings

Props Stars

Costumes Themes

Storylines / Events

Music

The “conventions” of a genre are the features we would expect to see… Complete the diagram below for your favourite genre.

Genre Recipe Poster

• Use the conventions for your genre to create a “recipe” for it as a group.

• You need to have at least 10 ingredients.

• List them at the top then write the ‘Recipe Instructions’.

• The Recipe Instructions explain how these 10 ingredients are to be combined.

• Write the recipe without a title and try it out on another group to see if they can guess what genre it is.

• Then add the title and some pictures