Ellen Greenblatt ejg.ellen@gmail.

com Workshops

Describing TONE in Poetry and Prose

TONE IS THE SPEAKERS OR WRITERS ATTITUDE TOWARD A SUBJECT
To analyze tone, a reader or listener must:
a) identify the subject of the piece
b) find words to describe tone and tonal changes
c) remain aware of nuances andsubtleties of attitude
Such analysis demands an ample vocabulary. Here are some words that describe tone:
(source unknown)

Abrupt
Amused
Apathetic
Argumentative
Awe
Clinical
Complimentary
Condemnatory
Critical
Despairing
Disgusted
Elated
Exuberant
Fanciful
Foreboding
Glib
Hollow
Humorous
Indignant
Insolent
Irreverent
Laudatory
Loving
Meditative
Mournful
Optimistic
Patronizing
Pitiful
Pretentious
Reflective
Sanctimonious
Sentimental
Sentimental
Sharp
Sober
Surprised
Restrained
Threatening

Accusatory
Angry
Apprehensive
Audacious
Bantering
Cold
Concerned
Confident
Cynical
Desperate
Disparaging
Enthusiastic
Facetious
Fearful
Frivolous
Gloomy
Hopeful
Incredulous
Inflammatory
Instructional
Joking
Light
Lucid
Melancholy
Nostalgic
Outraged
Peaceful
Playful
Proud
Resigned
Sarcastic
Scornful
Serene
Shocked
Solemn
Sympathetic
Reminiscent
Questioning

Admonitory
Anxious
Apologetic
Authoritative
Benevolent
Complementary
Condescending
Confused
Dark
Detached
Dreamy
Erudite
Factual
Flippant
Furious
Harsh
Hopeless
Indifferent
Informative
Ironic
Joyful
Lighthearted
Matter of fact
Mocking
Objective
Passionate
Pessimistic
Pompous
Realistic
Restrained
Sardonic
Seductive
Serious
Silly
Somber
Sweet
Taunting
Urgent

DIDLS:
THE KEY TO TONE
DICTION: word choice
and the connotation of word
choice
IMAGES: vivid appeals
through language that
appeals to the senses
DETAILS: what is included
as well as what is omitted
LANGUAGE: the overall
use of language (formal,
clinical, jargon)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
(also called SYNTAX): are
sentences choppy? Fluid? Do
they use parallel
construction? HOW DOES
SYNTAX AFFECT TONE
AND MEANING?