President Obama ‘s Use of Connotative Words
This assignment is to give you a deeper understanding of the power of words especially when they have connotations attached to them.
The Reading:
Go to page 59 (see the link in “Textbook Readings for Module 2).
At the top of the page is a paragraph from President Obama’s autobiography “Dreams From My Father. I highly recommend it as a heartfelt, sobering, honest look at a poor Black kid of mixed heritage (Caucasian mother and African father) who became President of the United States. Almost unbelievable.
After reading the passage, please do the following: (no essay format)
Make a list of ALL the words or terms used with the definitions of any words that are unfamiliar to you. Please use a dictionary. It will increase your vocabulary. For example. if you aren’t sure what miscegenation means, look it up (don’t guess).
Answer Question #1 on pg. 59 (No 1-2 sentence responses, please).
This question is asking for your analysis of the ways in which the President uses connotation to describe the time period of his parents’ marriage. Did he create a mood or tone? Is he being objective or subjective and why? Does the reader need to guess as to his feelings about miscegenation? What else can you say?
What is the era that President Obama references by using the words antebellum or octoroon? Look it up if necessary and include their definitions.
