Tone is a particular way of expressing feelings

Tone is a particular way of expressing feelings or attitudes that will influence how the reader feels about the characters, events, and outcomes. Speakers show tone more easily than writers because they can use voice tone, gesture, and facial expressions. A writer must use words alone.

Watch https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=C 3 TZGZn 5 Vw. A 1. What is ‘tone’? 2. How can you identify it?

TONE is simply the author’s attitude toward the subject. You can recognise the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author uses. His language will reveal his/her perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive/negative) about the subject. Tone must be inferred through the use of descriptive words.

Look at the following two letters. Both convey essentially the same information, but they have two rather different tones. Letter A Dear Client: Thank you for your letter. We will take your suggestion into consideration. We appreciate your concern. Letter B Dear Valued Customer: Thank you for your recent letter regarding our refund policy and procedure. We are taking your suggestion quite seriously and truly appreciate your concern.

Use your observations to answer the following questions. The tone of letter A is best classified as a) sincere. b) complimentary. c) indifferent.

The tone of letter B is best classified as a) cheerful. b) sincere. c) apologetic.

Which of these letters has a more positive tone? Why? Evidence.

• Letter B uses key words like "valued customer" and "truly appreciate. " • Refers to the specific contents of the reader's letter, thus letting the reader know that his or her letter has been read. • Furthermore, letter B tells the reader not just that the company "will take your suggestion into consideration"— which sounds a bit like an empty promise but that the writers are taking the suggestion "quite seriously. "

You may have also noticed that the sentences in letter B are longer than those in letter A. What meaning does this construe to the reader?

The girls were playing in the pond, splashing each other and trying to catch fish with their hands. They were having fun, but kept looking over their shoulders at the looming forest. The long grass of the field kept moving and they sort of felt like they were being watched… About a half hour passed and still the girls kept checking the field for movements. It seemed like a pair of dark eyes was on them. They even considered going back inside, but that would mean homework time. So they continued splashing, but with caution now. Their eyes hardly left the field. The tone of this passage is ominous, suggesting a little bit Of fear or foreboding. Words like "caution, dark, and looming“ lead readers to the tone.

Identifying the TONE is all about knowing the definitions of many descriptive vocabulary words. Without this large vocabulary, it’s difficult to describe outside of “good” and “bad. ”

POSITIVE TONE • Admiring • Amicable • Appreciative • Approving • Calm • Conciliatory • Diplomatic • Elated • Enthusiastic • Fervent • Friendly • Lively • Passionate • Reasonable • Respectful • Sympathetic

POWERFUL/STRONG TONE • • • Amazed Astonished Authoritative Carping Caustic Confrontational Conservative Controlled Definite • • • Demanding Didactic, Instructive Forceful Forthright Hypocritical Incredulous Moralising Outraged Pessimistic Sacrilegious Snide Strident

NEGATIVE TONE • • • Aggressive Arrogant Bitter Bullying Cynical Disillusioned Disappointed Disparaging Dogmatic Hostile • • • Irritated Insincere Insulting Officious Patronising Scathing Strident Superior Sycophantic Threatening Venomous, Vindictive

MOCKING TONE • Derisive • Facetious • Flippant • Irreverent • Mocking • Ridiculing • Sarcastic • Scornful • Sardonic

OTHER USEFUL TONE WORDS • • • Nostalgic Apathetic Apologetic Baffled Benevolent Bland Blasé Businesslike Clichéd • Deprecating, Belittling, Insulting • Despondent • Formal • Indifferent • Matter of fact, Frank • Measured • Neutral • Puzzled • Reasonable • Regretful • Stoic

Donovan and Larry were early for baseball practice. They decided to run up and down the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the team arrived. Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Donovan, “Look over there. ” He pointed to a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away. Donovan whispered, “We should help him out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice surprise. ”

How would you describe the tone of this author? a. Angry b. Detached c. Sympathetic Evidence?

About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.

How would you describe the tone of this author? a. Disgruntled b. Nonchalant c. Serious Evidence?

Style is the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences.

Formal • Vocabulary: high-level; business-like • Organization of text: very structured; perhaps with subtopics • Audience – usually written in the third person • Sentences: structure varies

Informal • Vocabulary – low-level; perhaps slang; dialogue • Organization of text – more so narrative or note-like • Audience – usually written in the first person • Sentences – don’t vary as much in structure; mostly simple or compound sentences

About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.

How would you describe the writing style of this author? a. Formal b. Conversational c. Colourful Evidence?

Style Words • • • • Amusing Balanced Chatty Clear Colloquial Colourful Controlled Conversational Convoluted Direct Dramatic Flowery Vivid Witty • • • Focused Formal Fragmented Incisive Informal Learned Lucid Measured Mellifluous Melodramatic Polished Sophisticated