Tone V. Mood

Tone V. Mood

R.L. 10.4 Analyze word choice on meaning and tone

When you speak, your tone of voice can convey what you mean. For example, you could say, "What a funny joke. You must be a comedian." Depending on how you say it, you might mean that sarcastically or genuinely. It all depends on your tone. In the same way, the tone in a piece of writing is the author's attitude toward their subject. Authors won't just tell you their tone. You have to "listen" to find it by reading between the lines.

Multiple Choice

What is tone?

• how the reader feels about a subject

• how the author feels about a subject

Word choice often gives you clues you can use to infer the author's tone.

Words have denotations. That's their definition in the dictionary.

They also have a connotation. That's their emotional meaning.

For example, a person who is interested in others can be described as "curious" or "nosy." "Curious" has a positive connotation. "Nosy" has a negative connotation.

In the same way, a person who likes to take charge could be described as "bossy" or "a leader."

Poll

Which has a POSITIVE connotation?

• Bossy

• Leader

There are a lot of different words to describe positive tones. A writer can have a celebratory attitude, or she can have a hopeful, excited or reflective tone. Admiring, lighthearted and sympathetic are positive tones, too. On the other hand, a negative tone could be frantic, selfish, bitter or skeptical. Even if the tone isn't positive or negative, there is still a tone. Every piece of writing has one. Sometimes, the tone can be neutral. You might describe a neutral tone as impartial or objective.

Multiple Choice

True or False: There is only positive and negative tones.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Select neutral tone words from the list below. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

• Objective

• Sarcastic

• Serious

• Whiny

Depending on what you're writing, you'll want to have a specific tone. If you were describing your favorite book to a friend, you might have an effusive tone. That means gushing and heartfelt.

If you're writing a research paper, you'll want to keep your tone more objective. Textbooks tend to have a neutral tone, sticking to just the facts without showing the author's attitude toward the subject.

Tone can be related to purpose. If you want to inform your reader, and not persuade her, an objective tone might be best.

Multiple Select

When should you use a neutral tone? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY!)

• Research paper

• Newspaper

• Science Report

• Presidential Speech

Tone isn't only in word choice. You might find clues about an author's tone in figurative language and in syntax.

Repetition can emphasize certain words or phrases over others.

Authors make lots of choices when they write, and some of those choices will show their tone.

Multiple Select

Tone isn't only in word choice it is also in.... (select all that apply)

• figurative language

• syntax

• Repetition

• their voice

Tone is the author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject.

VS.

Mood is the emotional effect on the reader. Sometimes tone and mood might be very similar.

A threatening tone might create a scary mood.

But sometimes they might be very different. An author's serious tone toward something silly can make a text very funny to the reader.

Mood is sometimes called the "atmosphere" of a story. The way the setting is described also helps create a mood.

Multiple Choice

Mood is also known as the....

• setting

• the tone

• the atmosphere

When you're writing, pay attention to tone and mood. Be sure your tone is aligned to your purpose, audience and subject. If you're writing to entertain your reader, your tone could be playful. If you're writing to persuade, a serious or urgent tone might be best.

Multiple Select

Your tone should be aligned to... (select all that apply)

• purpose

• audience

• subject

• writer

Multiple Choice

What is the tone?

Last Saturday, I volunteered at a local hospital. The visit was fun and rewarding. I even learned how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Unfortunately, I think caught a cold from one of the patients. This week, I will rest in bed and drink plenty of clear fluids. I hope I am well by next Saturday to volunteer again.

• Upset

• Objective

• Joyful

Objective

• The person here is just trying to tell you about what happened to them. They're apathetic about what happened. They don't really care one way or another.

Multiple Choice

You want to go out with your friends on a Friday night, BUT your parents have already told you no.

What tone should you have based on this scenario?

• Demanding

• Arrogant

• Mocking

• Reverent

Reverent

You might not know what reverent means (it means respectful) but I know you know that you shouldn't be: demanding to your parents, arrogant with your parents, or mocking your parents.

Will you get what you want then?

Multiple Choice

Here is a tone: adoring

Which scenario would match adoring?

• A love poem to your SO

• A letter to your teacher about your grades

• An attempt to make your friends go to the movies

Love poem

Generally love is associated with poems, even so, I hope you never write an adoring-toned email to your teacher (that'd be weird). Your friends you would most likely use a pleading tone or begging.

Multiple Choice

How does the author likely feel about his mistress?

"My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun" (Shakespeare).

• He think she is beautiful and bright like the sun.

• He thinks she is dull and dark.

Dull & Dark

He says "NOTHING LIKE" which implies right that he doesn't like her eyes very much.

Notice that with tone you still have to make inferences. Inferences didn't go anywhere!

Poll

How do you feel about identifying the tone of a passage?