Tone and Exercises

What is Tone?
Tone is defined as the attitude of the writer or speaker towards the subject, the audience, or toward him/herself.

Elements of Tone

Word Choice (Diction): Diction refers to the speakers word choice and vocabulary. We often describe
someones diction as colloquial, slang, technical, informal, formal, or elevated. Diction is closely related
to connotation and denotation. Denotation refers to the emotional/cultural characteristics of words,
while connotation is focused on literal meaning.
o How do each of the following sets of words convey differences in meaning?
House/Home
Mama/Mother
Irritated/Angry
Liberal/Progressive
Imagery: The speakers imagery adds to the purpose because of
the illustrations he or she uses. Remember, imagery refers to
the words and phrases that create a visual for the reader.
However, imagery also refers to how the speaker appeals to
smell, touch, hearing, and taste.
Language: The speaker often demonstrates one of his or her
richest components of a description through language, which
includes any literary device you can find. Similes, metaphors,
paradoxes, oxymoron, personification, allusions, analogies, and
symbols are
all important language devices to look for. Remember, though,
when you speak of language devices, you must identify them through blends. However, you must also
continue - describe the effect of each language device.
Detail: Details are the objects that the author encodes in his passage. Keep in mind that often an
author will intentionally omit certain objects or facets of the object for effect as well.
Syntax: When an authors syntax becomes important in understanding the passage, you will look for
the effect of the word order, sentence variety, and types of sentences (periodic, imperative, and
declarative to name a few), questioning strategies (rhetorical or sincere) and structure of phrases
(parallel structure, organization of sentences, repetition).

Mr. Pogreba

AP Lang

Tone and Exercises

How to Describe Tone
Describing tone in terms of words like positive and negative shows a lack of sophistication. You want to
impress the reader with a specific word choice. Some excellent tone words include:
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accusatory-charging of wrong doing

apathetic-indifferent due to lack of energy or concern
awe-solemn wonder
bitter-exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief
cynical-questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people
condescending; condescending-a feeling of superiority
callous-unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others
contemplative-studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue
critical-finding fault
choleric-hot-tempered, easily angered
contemptuous-showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect
caustic-intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting
conventional-lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality
disdainful-scornful
didactic-author attempts to educate or instruct the reader
derisive-ridiculing, mocking
earnest-intense, a sincere state of mind
erudite-learned, polished, scholarly
fanciful-using the imagination
forthright-directly frank without hesitation
gloomy-darkness, sadness, rejection
haughty-proud and vain to the point of arrogance
indignant-marked by anger aroused by injustice
intimate-very familiar
judgmental-authoritative and often having critical opinions
jovial-happy
lyrical-expressing a poets inner feelings; emotional
matter-of-fact--accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional
mocking-treating with contempt or ridicule
morose-gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent
malicious-purposely hurtful
objective-an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside
optimistic-hopeful, cheerful
obsequious-polite and obedient in order to gain something
patronizing-air of condescension
pessimistic-seeing the worst side of things; no hope
quizzical-odd, eccentric, amusing
ribald-offensive in speech or gesture
reverent-treating a subject with honor and respect
ridiculing-slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of
reflective-illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions
sarcastic-sneering, caustic
sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic
satiric-ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach

Mr. Pogreba

AP Lang

Tone and Exercises

Tone Passages to Analyze
[Steve Benen; The War on Christmas; The Carpetbagger Report; 20 Dec 2006]
I imagine in some circles, the controversy is still a fairly big deal, but my sense is that this years war on Christmas is
largely a bust. It was vaguely faddish last year, but most sensible people got sick of the issue quickly. Reasonable,
levelheaded Americans figured out a long time ago that there is no war, the vast majority of the country celebrates and
enjoys the holiday, and the conservative culture warriors probably just need to pick up a new hobby.
[Joseph Bottum; Wrapping Paper Rapture; The Weekly Standard; 25 Dec 2006]
Tinsel. No one needs tinsel. Even the word is a tinselly kind of word. It ought to have been a mild profanity, suitable for
bridge clubs and 1950s sorority girls: "Oh, tinsel, I forgot my keys again, Janie." Instead, it names one of the most
destructive substances known to humankind. Originally made from lead foil--till somebody finally noticed that it was
turning children's livers purple and green--the loathsome stuff evolved through various aluminum incarnations to
become the plastic killer that it is today. Tinsel murdered my vacuum cleaner this Christmas. Sucked up into the air
vents, tinsel wrapped itself around the motor, melted, and smothered the helpless appliance. Tinsel smoked, and tinsel
sparked, and tinsel set off the fire alarm. And now, on top of all the other holiday expenses, I have to run out and buy a
new vacuum cleaner. Oh . . . tinsel.
[Sven Birkeerts; A Book and its Cover; Boston Globe; 17 Dec 2006]
BY NATURE OR by nurture, the book reviewer is a caged animal, an idealist turned brute, a cynic. Dealing day in and day
out with the products of mind and spirit, we see what happens to these glories, how they are packaged and pitched,
under- and over-valued, and how our finest words on their behalf get cut and botched and then generally ignored by the
world at large. The reviewing life itself is sustained mainly by homebound excitements -- e-mails and attachments,
phone calls and FedEx deliveries -- words taken in and sent out again, thoughts and reactions in agitated motion, the
fantasy endlessly renewed against all better judgment that the phrases will home to some mark.
[John Londregan; Dont Cry for Pinochet; The Weekly Standard; 25 Dec 2006]
Despite Pinochet's initial declaration that he was the temporary leader of a temporary government, he managed to push
aside the other heads of the armed forces, and to remain in power for the next 16 and a half years, longer than any
other ruler, elected or otherwise, in the post-independence history of Chile. During the long years of military rule,
Pinochet remorselessly sought control. He outlawed political parties and had opponents murdered. The butcher's bill for
his time in power included the lives of over 3,000 of his fellow citizens (in a country of 15 million), not counting the many
thousands more who were tortured by the government, and the thousands driven into exile. Pinochet sought to
transform Chilean society, and he incorporated a series of free-market economic reforms as a part of his recipe for
success.

Mr. Pogreba

AP Lang