TONETONE

What it is and how to What it is and how to recognise it … recognise it …

Tone indicates the writer’s attitude. Often an author's tone is described by adjectives, such as: cynical, depressed, sympathetic, cheerful, outraged, positive, angry, sarcastic, prayerful, ironic, solemn, vindictive, intense, excited.

What is an author’s tone?

Tone is not an action. It is an attitude.

What is tone?What is tone?• The writer’s or speaker’s attitude

toward the subject & the audience.

• With speaking, tone is easy to hear in a person’s voice.

• With writing, tone is determined by DIDLS

DictionDictionConnotation of word choice

Example: The girls in the corner laughed.(snickered, cackled, chuckled, giggled, cracked up, etc.)

ImageryImageryVivid details that appeal to senses

Example:With an agonized gasp, the soldier collapsed on the battle field.

Mrs. Bitz beamed at her kindergartners with a soothing smile and sparkling eyes.

DetailsDetailsThe details the author does/does not choose to include

Example: How would the details of a fight at you witnessed at school vary as told to another student, the principal, or your parents?

LanguageLanguageThe overall style of the language

Slang: He laid him out cold.

Informal: He socked him in the jaw.

Formal: In a sudden rage, he thrust his fist into his opponent’s face.

Sentence StructureSentence StructureLong sentences show significance, seriousness, or politeness …I would like you to try to finish this assignment today or you will be invited to meet the headmaster.

Short sentences show urgency or a casual attitude …We need it now!Yeah, whatever you say.

Real-life ExampleReal-life ExampleYou can say the same phrase in different ways, each showing a different attitude or tone.

Try saying, “Come here, Sally” using the following tones:

• Commanding or bossy• Secretive• Loving• Angry• Excited• Playful

Tone is not explained or expressed directly.

A reader must“read between the lines”

to feel the author’s attitude and identify the tone.

Tone is different than “Mood.”

Tone is the author’s own attitude toward the subject.

Mood is the emotion the author wants the readers to feel while

reading about the subject.

Tone vs MoodTone vs Mood

Mood = MEMy feelings when reading it

Tone = AUTHORAuthor’s ATTITUDE to the subject

An author’s tone influences the story’s

mood and atmosphere.

Author’s Tone

leads to

Story’s Atmosphere& Mood

An author writes a horror story using a serious and sinister tone.

That tone helps create a scary atmosphere and a nervous,

frightened mood for the readers.

Example:

An author writes a satire, making fun of a horror story using a playful or sarcastic tone.

That playful tone helps create a humorous mood for the readers.

Another Example:

  I hate the way you talk to meI hate the way you talk to meAnd the way you cut your hairAnd the way you cut your hair

I hate the way you drive my carI hate the way you drive my carI hate it when you stareI hate it when you stare

  I hate your big dumb combat bootsI hate your big dumb combat boots

And the way you read my mindAnd the way you read my mindI hate you so much that it makes me sickI hate you so much that it makes me sick

It even makes me rhymeIt even makes me rhyme

I hate the way you're always rightI hate the way you're always rightI hate it when you lieI hate it when you lie

I hate it when you make me laughI hate it when you make me laughEven worse when you make me cryEven worse when you make me cry

  I hate the way you're not aroundI hate the way you're not aroundAnd the fact that you didn't callAnd the fact that you didn't call

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate youBut mostly I hate the way I don't hate youNot even close, not even a little bit, not even at all. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

  

Literary Examplesof Author’s Tones…

Serious / SolemnSerious / Solemn

““The girl remembered little from the The girl remembered little from the

raid at Okeadan in which she had raid at Okeadan in which she had

been captured. She knew her been captured. She knew her

parents had been killed. She had no parents had been killed. She had no

idea what had happened to her idea what had happened to her

brothers and sisters. Much of what brothers and sisters. Much of what

she had experienced had been so she had experienced had been so

horrible that she had simply shut it horrible that she had simply shut it

out of her mind. . . .out of her mind. . . .””

At Her MajestyAt Her Majesty’’s Request s Request p. 17 p. 17

Serious / SolemnSerious / Solemn

““The girl remembered little from the The girl remembered little from the

raid at Okeadan in which she had raid at Okeadan in which she had

been captured. She knew her parents been captured. She knew her parents

had been killed. She had no idea what had been killed. She had no idea what

had happened to her brothers and had happened to her brothers and

sisters. Much of what she had sisters. Much of what she had

experienced had been so horrible that experienced had been so horrible that

she had simply shut it out of her she had simply shut it out of her

mind. . . .mind. . . .””

At Her MajestyAt Her Majesty’’s Request s Request p. 17 p. 17

This author’s serious tone inspires an

atmosphere of tragedy. This leads to a mood of

sadness, sympathy, and caring in the reader

when reading this passage.

HumorousHumorous

“When he realized he was still in one piece, he knew that at the very least he must be completely flat, with his face peering out of his own bottom and his brains leaking out of his ears. . . .”

Toad Heaven p. 64

HumorousHumorous

“When he realized he was still in one piece, he knew that at the very least he must be completely flat, with his face peering out of his own bottom and his brains leaking out of his ears. . . .”

Toad Heaven p. 64

This author’s humorous tone inspires a

comic atmosphere. This leads to a playful

mood in the reader. (It also helps the

reader identify with and care about the

characters.)

Objective / ImpersonalObjective / Impersonal

“By nightfall on Monday, the center of the storm had barely moved, and icy winds of hurricane force swept across an area from Virginia up to Nova Scotia, Canada. The wind was so powerful that in Liberty, New York, the local train station had its roof entirely ripped off …”

Blizzard p . 56

Objective / ImpersonalObjective / Impersonal

“By nightfall on Monday, the center of the storm had barely moved, and icy winds of hurricane force swept across an area from Virginia up to Nova Scotia, Canada. The wind was so powerful that in Liberty, New York, the local train station had its roof entirely ripped off …”

Blizzard p . 56

This author’s impersonal tone inspires a serious

atmosphere, typical of nonfiction (such as news

reports). The mood for this piece might be

considered studious or academic.

EnthusiasticEnthusiastic

“ . . . the next minute, Winn-Dixie looked like a furry bullet, shooting across the building, chasing that mouse. He was barking and his feet were skidding all over the polished Pick-It-Quick floor, and people were clapping and hollering and pointing. They really went wild when Winn-Dixie actually caught the mouse.”

Because of Winn-Dixie p. 36

EnthusiasticEnthusiastic

“ . . . the next minute, Winn-Dixie looked like a furry bullet, shooting across the building, chasing that mouse. He was barking and his feet were skidding all over the polished Pick-It-Quick floor, and people were clapping and hollering and pointing. They really went wild when Winn-Dixie actually caught the mouse.”

Because of Winn-Dixie p. 36

This author’s enthusiastic tone inspires an active,

lively atmosphere. The author hopes to influence

the readers to be in an excited mood, anticipating

more action.

Hostile / AngryHostile / Angry

“Dana grinned malevolently. His teeth were nubby and yellow, like an old barn dog’s. Kneeling on Roy’s chest, he hauled back to hit him again.”

Hoot p. 184

Hostile / AngryHostile / Angry

“Dana grinned malevolently. His teeth were nubby and yellow, like an old barn dog’s. Kneeling on Roy’s chest, he hauled back to hit him again.”

Hoot p. 184

This author’s angry tone inspires a violent

atmosphere. The author may be hoping to

inspire a tense and uneasy mood in the

reader, emphasizing the conflicts in the story.

DisapprovingDisapproving“We’d gone a quarter mile

down the trail when we ran into a man walking the wrong way. He had a pack on his back – a full, towering, overstuffed pack – and he was sweating hard. His breath sounded like a bellows. I stepped aside to let him pass. I stared. I knew that he was one of the ones who hadn’t made it, who ’d quit right there at the start.”

Halfway to the Sky p. 32

DisapprovingDisapproving

“We’d gone a quarter mile down the trail when we ran into a man walking the wrong way. He had a pack on his back – a full, towering, overstuffed pack – and he was sweating hard. His breath sounded like a bellows. I stepped aside to let him pass. I stared. I knew that he was one of the ones who hadn’t made it, who’d quit right there at the start.”

Halfway to the Sky p. 32

This author’s disapproving tone sets up a

competitive atmosphere, leading to a

judgmental mood in the reader. It also helps

the reader appreciate the accomplishments

of the characters.

PERSONALPERSONAL

“I feel alive for the first time in years,” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last.. . . . “

Fahrenheit 451 p. 131

“I feel alive for the first time in years,” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last . . .”

Fahrenheit 451

p. 131

Personal

PERSONALPERSONAL

“I feel alive for the first time in years,” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last.. . . . “

Fahrenheit 451 p. 131

“I feel alive for the first time in years,” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last . . .”

Fahrenheit 451

p. 131

Personal

This author’s personal tone leads to an atmosphere

of emotional expression and revelation. The author

hopes to set a mood of confidentiality and sharing

in the readers, helping them to understand and care

about the characters.

CornyIt sounds clichédBut at times like this,I miss my dad.I mean,I don’t remember him –he died of cancer when I was three.Picturesare all that’s left.My favorite one is us sitting on a bench, eating ice cream.Our knees are knobby the same way,we’re both grinning like hyenas,he’s pointing at the camera.

I haven’t had a dad in twelve years.Most of the time,that’s okay.But today,right now, I’d like a hug.From him. Shark Girl, Kelly Bingham

Grieving

CornyIt sounds clichédBut at times like this,I miss my dad.I mean,I don’t remember him –he died of cancer when I was three.Picturesare all that’s left.My favorite one is us sitting on a bench, eating ice cream.Our knees are knobby the same way,we’re both grinning like hyenas,he’s pointing at the camera.

I haven’t had a dad in twelve years.Most of the time,that’s okay.But today,right now,I’d like a hug.From him. Shark Girl, Kelly Bingham

Poets often “bare their souls” in their poems.

This poet’s grieving tone reveals her deepest

feelings about her father, creating an atmosphere

of sadness and longing. This inspires a mood of

sympathy and caring in the readers.

Grieving

IndifferentIndifferentFlickerA maid cleans.A crew cuts the lawn.Even the groceries get delivered.Jordan’s dad is home, for once,but he barely lifts his headfrom his laptop to meet me.His eyesflicker in surprise,but he slamshis attention back to the screenand coughs to dismiss us.

Reaching for Sun, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

IndifferentIndifferentFlicker

A maid cleans.A crew cuts the lawn.Even the groceries get

delivered.Jordan’s dad is home, for once,but he barely lifts his headfrom his laptop to meet me.His eyes flicker in surprise,but he slams his attention back to the screenand coughs to dismiss us.

Reaching for Sun, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

This poet’s indifferent tone creates an impersonal,

possibly uncaring atmosphere. This causes an

emotionally empty mood in the reader. It allows

the reader to understand why the speaker in the

poem may be depressed.

Examples of ToneExamples of Tone• Cautious• Humorous• Affectionate• Hostile• Critical• Objective• Personal• Violent

• Solemn / Serious• Sarcastic• Disapproving• Enthusiastic• Desperate• Pleading • Indifferent

More Tone WordsMore Tone Wordsanimated ambivalent apathetic accusatory amused absurd   aggressive acerbic angry   abstruse   assertive aggrieved arrogant   awestruck   admiring assertive ardent acerbic befuddled  benevolent bitter belligerent compliant cautionary condescending  callous cynical colloquial comic  confused compassionate  complaining chatty   complex cheerful   contemptuous caustic cruel  celebratory candid conciliatory detached depressed docile  evasive docile derisive   dignified disparaging distressed  disheartened diplomatic defiant dispassionate demeaning    excited   empathetic egotistical earnest farcical frustrated forceful  formal  frank fawning flippant faultfinding frivolous fuming ghoulish grim gullible gentle hard   hard-hearted hypercritical humble intense incensed imploring indignant  intimate impressionable sulking inane irreverent   impassioned informative incredulous indifferent impartial  ironic jaded joyous laudatory     loving    malicious  mocking modest macabre mourning mean-spirited naive nasty narcissistic nostalgic outraged  obsequious  optimistic outspoken placating pompous pragmatic pretentious prayerful  playful   pathetic  pessimistic pensive patronizing philosophical persuasive reflective resentful reverent  resigned regretful righteous reticent   reflective restrained sentimental satirical  sympathetic skeptical scornful scathing subjective  self-pitying sensationalistic submissive scorning subjective sorrowful tragic  thoughtful tolerant unassuming unbiased uneasy virtuous vindictive witty world-weary wretched wonder worried whimsical

VocabularyVocabulary• Learn a few tone words every week

… soon you will have a lots more words to choose from.

• Of course, you can describe the tone without necessarily having a “name” to label it with but it does help

• Think about TONE with everything you read (and write)- every piece of writing has one!

See what you See what you make of these….make of these….

Example 1Example 1As discussed in our meeting today, each staff member should plan to attend a special training on the appropriate way to remove snacks from the vending machines. Please be prompt.

Example 2Example 2C.J., you are so fine. You know I gotta get wit yo fine self sometime and get to know you betta. You is on my mind 24/7.

Example 3Example 3My grandmother was not one of those soft, warm grandmothers that made cookies and read bedtime stories. But she knew the best places to fish, taught me everything I know about poker, and played a mean saxophone.

Not so hard … Not so hard …

It will help you “get the message”

of the text.

The next time you read a passage, try to identify the author’s tone.

Bingham, Kelly. Shark Girl. Boston: Candlewick, 2010. Print.

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1967. Print.

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. Halfway to the Sky. New York: Yearling Press, 2003. Print.

Dicamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. New York: Candlewick Press, 2000. Print.

Gleitzman, Morris. Toad Heaven. New York: Yearling Press, 2006. Print.

Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot. New York: Yearling Press, 2006. Print.

Lehmann, L. R. Blizzard. Salt Lake City, Utah: Quikread Press, 1997. Print.

Myers, Walter Dean. At Her Majesty's Request: An African Princess in Victorian England. New York: Scholastic Press, 1999. Print

Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. Reaching for Sun. New York: Bloomsbury Children's, Distributed to the trade by Holtzbrinck, 2007. Print.

Works Cited

Created at www.bibme.org