AP Language & Composition

Tone Words
Positive
lighthearted
confident
relaxed
soothing
hopeful
cheery
romantic
calm
optimistic
sympathetic
consoling
ecstatic
friendly
pleasant
Negative
angry
wrathful
insulting
choleric
arrogant
quarrelsome
condemnatory
belligerent
inflammatory
aggravated
Humor/Irony/Sarcasm
scornful
bantering
pompous
mocking
taunting
cynical
malicious
droll
flippant
mock-heroic
satiric
amused
ribald
irreverent
Sorrow/Fear/Worry
somber
mournful
remorseful
poignant
pessimistic
grave
serious
despairing
horror
disturbed
mournful
regretful
Neutral
formal
objective
disbelieving
sentimental
judgmental
reflective
factual
incredulous
callous
forthright
clinical
matter-of-fact
earnest
resigned
detached
admonitory
patriotic
meditative

amused
jubilant
elated
enthusiastic
proud
jovial
brave

complimentary
encouraging
passionate
elevated
fanciful
loving
joyful

amiable
reverent
whimsical
exuberant
appreciative
compassionate
energetic

threatening
disgusted
surly
disgruntled
brash

agitated
bitter
outraged
furious
testy

obnoxious
accusing
irritated
indignant

disdainful
ridiculing
insolent
critical
teasing
sardonic

irreverent
wry
patronizing
ironic
quizzical
contemptuous

condescending
sarcastic
whimsical
facetious
comical
caustic

concerned
melancholy
staid
sober
apprehensive

morose
solemn
ominous
solemn
gloomy

hopeless
fearful
sad
resigned
foreboding

questioning
pretentious
ceremonial
urgent
lyrical
didactic
contemplative
informative
intimate

learned
apathetic
candid
fervent
sincere
shocked
haughty
baffled
obsequious

authoritative
conventional
instructive
histrionic
restrained
nostalgic
objective
reminiscent