What word indicates a literal meaning?
a. tone
b. connotation
c. denotation
d. analogy
c. denotation
The word that indicates a literal meaning is c. denotation.
The word that indicates a literal meaning is c. denotation.
To arrive at this answer, it helps to understand the definitions of the options given:
a. Tone: Tone refers to the attitude or feelings expressed by the speaker or writer. It does not indicate a literal meaning.
b. Connotation: Connotation refers to the associated or secondary meanings that a word carries, beyond its literal or dictionary definition. It adds layers of meaning and can be subjective. Therefore, it does not indicate a literal meaning.
c. Denotation: Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word, without any additional connotations or associations. It represents the straightforward, basic meaning of a word.
d. Analogy: Analogy refers to a comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification. It does not indicate a literal meaning.
Based on these definitions, the correct answer is c. denotation, as it focuses on the actual meaning of a word without any additional layers of interpretation or context.