Tutor profile: Abigail S.

What is the difference between denotation and connotation in writing? When do we use them?

Denotation may simply be thought of as the "dictionary" meaning of a word. That is, denotation is the literal meaning of the word. On the contrary, connotation is the figurative meaning. While it is not the dictionary definition of the word, it implies a certain feeling which evokes emotion. For example, the word "blue" has both a denotative and a connotative meaning. While it literally represents the color blue (denotation), it also evokes a feeling of sadness or gloom (connotation). Either may be used in writing, because there are instances in which the literal meaning is important as well as evoking emotion. It is important for an English student to weigh whether or not it will effectively work in the sentence and "click" with the audience. As a tutor, I will aid students in understanding how to use both of these elements of language in their overall writing.

How do you approach an ESL learner who quickly become frustrated during a lesson?

The key to teaching an ESL learner is to keep the lesson as simple and slow-paced as possible without compromising the content. It is important to include a student's home culture into the lesson whenever possible, because it creates a sense of comfort and familiarity for them. Equally important is positive reinforcement, praising the student when they solve a problem correctly or take a step in the right direction so that they do remember they are capable of learning English.

What are the steps to creating an effective essay?

The first step is to determine the type of essay to be written and to make sure all guidelines for the essay are clear and understood. Next, brainstorm topics and condense the list to contain those topics that have plenty of information to meet the requirements of the essay. it is then important to outline all ideas and arrange them logically. Create a strong thesis statement and determine that it is supportable. Next is the most time-consuming step: write a rough draft of the essay, not stopping to correct grammar syntax but attempting to get all ideas on paper. Once that is completed, take time to carefully read through the paper and perfect it into a final draft, now stopping to check grammar, syntax, coherence, and unity.