Which statement best contrasts denotation with persuasive language?

• A. Denotation is literal meaning; persuasive language uses emotive devices to persuade.
• B. Denotation is emotional nuance; persuasive language uses facts only.
• C. Denotation is tone; persuasive language is structure.
• D. Denotation is metaphor; persuasive language uses logos.

Answer: (B)

Denotation is the literal meaning of a word—the explicit definition you’d find in a dictionary. Persuasive language aims to influence an audience and does so by appealing to emotion through emotive terms, connotations, and rhetorical techniques. So the statement that denotation is literal meaning and persuasive language uses emotive devices to persuade correctly contrasts the two. It’s not right to describe denotation as emotional nuance, and it’s also not accurate to say persuasive language uses facts only, since emotion and rhetoric often play a central role along with any factual content.