A word’s denotation is its dictionary definition. Connotation is the feeling you associate with a word. For example, try the word hurt and then destroy in this sentence: Our actions ______ the Earth.

You probably associate hurt with the idea of harm or injury. But you probably associate the word destroy with danger or death.

Analyze Words Read the sentences. Look up the denotations of the underlined words in a dictionary. Use the context to identify their connotations. Compare the denotation and the connotation.

• 1. Soil erosion can turn rich farmland into a desert wasteland.

• 2. Clean water is essential to our lives.

• 3. Acid rain eats away at buildings, bridges, and statues.

How Is Writing Organized? Persuasive writing has an argument supported by evidence. The argument tells what the writer thinks. The supporting evidence tells why you should agree with the writer.

Look at “Handle with Care.” Make an Argument-and-Support Map for parts of the selection.

Argument-and-Support Map