Basic Definitions
Refers to the attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice, style, and perspective. It shapes a reader’s experience
What is tone?
The sun was bright and the sky was clear. Joan jogged down the path with Rex at her side and smiled about last night's victory. The tone of this excerpt can be best described as _____.
A.cheerful
B.mundane
C. gloomy
A cheerful
This is all your fault!
A. honesty
B. blaming
C. truthful
Blaming - directly BLAMING someone
What is the tone of a story or text?
A.The feeling the reader gets from the text
B.The author’s attitude toward the topic
C.The me and place where the story happens
B.The author’s attitude toward the topic
Word choice that shapes tone (formal, informal, sarcastic)
What is language?
T
Why do these things always happen to me?, Brad wondered. First I forget an important meeting, and nobody reminds me until it’s over. Then my boss dumps a big project on my desk and wants it done by yesterday. And to top everything off, I leave my wallet on the bus.
A. comic
B. self-pitying
C. optimistic
B. self-pitying
I can't believe you did that.
a. exactly
b. difference
c. shocked
Shock - shows surprise or disbelief
What is the mood of a story or text?
A. The main character’s personality
B. The problem in the story
C. The feeling the text creates for the reader
C. The feeling the text creates for the reader
The feeling created for the reader or audience
What is mood?
Each year in the middle of February, when slush is underfoot and the sky is a depressing gray, I begin dreaming of warm beaches, tropical fruits and sunsets. If only I could save enough for a winter vacation! Maybe next year I’ll win the lottery. Meanwhile, I’ll read travel brochures and sigh.
A. unsure
B. joyous
C. longing
C. longing
You must leave immediately.
A. join
B. urgency
C. laziness
Commanding - emphasizes urgency and authority
Read this sentence:
"Wow! That’s the most amazing rainbow I’ve ever seen!" What is the author’s tone?
A. Angry
B. Excited
C. Bored
B. Excited
Specific feelings conveyed, like joy, anger, or sadness
What is emotion?
Often you feel you’ve done nothing when you’ve actually done a lot. That’s because what you did do seemed beneath notice—it was so small that it didn’t “count.” But it did—just as each stitch counts toward finished dress, each brick or nail toward a house you can live in, each mistake toward knowing how to do things right.
A. hesitant
B. encouraging
C. amused
B. encouraging
I know we can figure this out together!
A. optimistic
B. doubtful
C. anxious
Optimistic — conveys hope and confidence in a positive outcome
Read this passage:
"The wind howled through the empty house, doors slammed shut on their own, and shadows danced across the cold walls."
What mood does this create?
A. Scary
B. Happy
C. Calm
A. Scary
The reason behind the tone - inform, persuade, entertain
What is purpose?
Botulism, a type of rare, severe food poisoning, has been reported recently in New Jersey. It is believed that the victim, who is in critical condition at a local hospital, was stricken after eating from a jar of incorrectly preserved homegrown green beans from last summer’s garden. It has been ten years since the last instance of botulism poisoning was reported in the state.
A. light-hearted
B. serious
C. tragic
C. tragic
I don’t think things will ever be the same again.
A. for sure
B. excited
C. sorrowful
Sorrowful — conveys a sense of loss and sadness
Read this sentence:
"Please be quiet in the library so others can focus on their work."
What is the tone?
A. Playful
B. Polite and serious
C. Sad
B. Polite and serious