TONE What it is and how to recognise

TONE What it is and how to recognise it …

What is an author’s tone? 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.

Tone is not an action. It is an attitude.

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

Diction Connotation of word choice Example: The girls in the corner laughed. (snickered, cackled, chuckled, giggled, cracked up, etc. )

Imagery Vivid 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.

Details The 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?

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

Real-life Example You 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 Mood Tone = AUTHOR Author’s ATTITUDE to the subject Mood = ME My feelings when reading it

An author’s tone influences the story’s mood and atmosphere.

Author’s Tone leads to Story’s Atmosphere & Mood

Example: 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.

Another 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.

I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I hate it when you stare I hate your big dumb combat boots And the way you read my mind I hate you so much that it makes me sick It even makes me rhyme I hate the way you're always right I hate it when you lie I hate it when you make me laugh Even worse when you make me cry I hate the way you're not around And the fact that you didn't call But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Literary Examples of Author’s Tones…

Serious / Solemn “The girl remembered little from the raid at Okeadan in which she had been captured. She knew her parents had been killed. She had no idea what had happened to her brothers and sisters. Much of what she had experienced had been so horrible that she had simply shut it out of her mind. . ” At Her Majesty’s Request p. 17

Serious / Solemn n f a o s d e r o i o sp m n i a e o t on “The girl remembered little from the r s t e d s d a u a e l o i e r is er e h s h T t s ’. r raid at Okeadan in which she had n y i o d h g e t n g i u r a a r a c ft o d This n e been captured. She knew her parents r a y, he h p t s. a o e p g m m t a y s a s s had been killed. She had no idea what , a s p s s e i n h t d a g s n i had happened to her brothers and ad e r n whe sisters. Much of what she had experienced had been so horrible that she had simply shut it out of her mind. . ” At Her Majesty’s Request p. 17

Humorous “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

Humorous a s e r i sp n i e l u n f o y t a l p us o a “When he realized he was still in one r o o t m s u d h a ’s le r s o e i h h h t t T u piece, he knew that at the very least s. a lp e r e e h h This o p s s l e o a h t t m I t ( t a. u he must be completely flat, with his r bo de a a e e comic r r a e c h t d n n i a face peering out of his own bottom d h t o i o w m fy i t n e d ri and his brains leaking out of his ears. e d a re ). s r e t c a. . . ” r a h c Toad Heaven p. 64

Objective / 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 / Impersonal ous i r e s a s e r i s nsp w i “By nightfall on Monday, the center of the e e n n o as t l h a c n u (s so r storm had barely moved, and icy winds of n e o p i t m c fi be n ’s i t r o h o n g i h f t m u lo hurricane force swept across an area from a e a c s c i i e i h p p T s , ty i e h r t e r h fo Virginia up to Nova Scotia, Canada. The p s d ic. o o m m o t e a m d a e c h a T r. wind was so powerful that in Liberty, New ) o ts s u o i d repor u st d York, the local train station had its roof e r e onsid centirely ripped off …” Blizzard p. 56

Enthusiastic “. . . 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

Enthusiastic ve, i t c a n a s e r “. . . the next minute, Winn-Dixie looked spi ce n i n e e u l n f to in c o i t t like a furry bullet, shooting across the s s g a e i n i s p t u o a h h p t i n ic or e t h n t s ’ a u r , a o building, chasing that mouse. He was e th od h u o T a. m s i e Th barking and his feet were skidding all her ited c p x s e o n m t a a n i y l e b live over the polished Pick-It-Quick floor, o t s der a e r the and people were clapping and hollering . n o i t c ea morand pointing. They really went wild when Winn-Dixie actually caught the mouse. ” Because of Winn-Dixie p. 36

Hostile / 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 / Angry t n e l o i v a s e ir p o s t n i g n e i p n o o t h y e r b g n y a a e s m ’ h r t r o o n h i h t t u d “Dana grinned malevolently. His u a. o a y s o r i e o h m t Th s T y. s e e a h r t e e n n teeth were nubby and yellow, like h i u p s s t d o c n i l a f m n e at o s c n e e an old barn dog’s. Kneeling on Roy’s t h t a g e n r i i z i s a insp h chest, he hauled back p m e , r reade to hit him again. ” Hoot p. 184

“We’d gone a quarter mile Disapprov 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 ng

“We’d gone a quarter Disapprovin mile down the trail when we ran into a man a p u s t e s e walking the wrong way. n o t g n i a v o o r t p He had a pack on his g p n s a i s p d i l a d e e h l s , r’ o e o s l r h back – a full, towering, a t e t u h I a p. s r is o e s h t d m n T t a e r m e overstuffed pack – and e h v i h s t i l t p n e i p m d o m o c o c a he was sweating hard. m e l h a t t n e t e a i m c g e d His breath sounded like pr ju p a r de a e r a bellows. I stepped . s r e the t c a r a h c aside to let him pass. I e h t f o stared. I knew that he was one of the ones who hadn’t made it, who’d quit right there at the start. ” g

PERSONAL Personal “I feel alive for the first time in years, ” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve “I feel alive for the first time in done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m years, ” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. right thing at last. . . “ For a little while I’m not afraid. Fahrenheit 451 p. 131 Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last. . . ” Fahrenheit 451 p. 131

PERSONAL Personal re e h p “I feel alive for the first time in years, ” said s o m t a n a r o o t h t Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve s u d ea eafirst l “I feel alive for the time in h e T n. to on i l g t done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m a n a i l n r e o a v s h s doing re “I feel er said Faber. p d years, ” I’m d n n s ’ a a r n not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the re ity ho o l a t i a c u s i t a s d n e n s a ago. pr ide a lifetime x f d Thi right thing at last. . . “ e n n what I should’ve done l o a t a c f rs on o i e t d d o n o m u o not afraid. t mo while of e Forseat alittle m I’m e Fahrenheit 451 p. th o g t n i s p l e he because I’m doing the , hop 131 Maybe s r e it’s ad e r s. r e e t h t c a n i ar h c right thing at last. . . ” e h t t abou Fahrenheit 451 p. 131

Grieving Corny It sounds clichéd But at times like this, I miss my dad. I mean, I don’t remember him – he died of cancer when I was three. Pictures are 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 Corny It sounds clichéd But at times like this, I miss my dad. I mean, . I don’t remember him – s m e o p r i he died of cancer when I was three. e h t nt s i e ” p s l e u Pictures e o d s r r i e e r e h t s l h are all that’s left. a p e r a ve os b e “ m r t n a e e ft My favorite one is on an o t of g s g t n d n i e i t o v o a o e P us sitting on a bench, eating ice cream. m cre gri , a r s ’ t e s e h e o ir at p f p s r Our knees are knobby the same way, s i n e i h h T ut his o T b. a we’re both grinning like hyenas, g. n s s i r g g e n n i d l o dl rea fee he’s pointing at the camera. n e a h t s s in e n g d n i a r fs ca o d n a I haven’t had a dad in twelve years. y h t a p Most of the time, sym that’s okay. But today, right now, I’d like a hug. From him. Shark Girl, Kelly Bingham

Indifferent Flicker 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 head from his laptop to meet me. His eyes flicker in surprise, but he slams his attention back to the screen and coughs to dismiss us. Reaching for Sun, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Indifferent Flicker al, n o s r pe m i A maid cleans. n a s e t a an s A crew cuts the lawn. one cre e s u a t c t s n i e r s Th e f w. Even the groceries get f i o e l r l d e a n h It p. t ’s i s r e o e delivered. o d m p at ea r g he his t e n T i h r n t i a r n c i e Jordan’s dad is home, for k d un a o y e l o p b i s m e y t h once, t p poss y m h e w y l l d a n n a o but he barely lifts his head rst e d n emoti u o t r d. e from his laptop to meet me. e d s a s e e r pr e the d e His eyes yb a m flicker in surprise, poem but he slams his attention back to the screen and coughs to dismiss us.

Examples of Tone • • Cautious Humorous Affectionate Hostile Critical Objective Personal Violent • • Solemn / Serious Sarcastic Disapproving Enthusiastic Desperate Pleading Indifferent

More Tone Words animated 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-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

Vocabulary • 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 make of these….

Example 1 As 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 2 C. 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 3 My 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 …

The next time you read a passage, try to identify the author’s tone. It will help you “get the message” of the text.

Works Cited 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. Created at www. bibme. org