Tone of a Text

Tone and Imagery

I really want school to be cancelled or at least have a 2-hour delay because of the high winds.
Tone = Hopeful

Example

Tone is the attitude of the speaker/narrator or author towards the subject of the text.

Definition

Tone

Function of Tone

Tone is created using diction (word choice) and syntax (sentence structure). Therefore, analyzing the tone can help the reader understand the message or theme of the text.
If the tone is neutral or detached, it could be an ironic use of objectivity in order to critique a serious issue.

The tasty, salty broth soothed her sore throat as Simran ate the warm soup.

Example

The use of sensory language to create mental images in the reader's mind.

Definition

Imagery

• Visual - sight

• Auditory - hearing

• Olfactory - smell

• Tactile - touch

• Gustatory - taste

Types of Imagery

Imagery does so much more than to paint a picture. It can:

Function of Imagery

• Indicate the speaker/narrator's tone based on the type of images created.

• Contribute to the theme of the text.

• Add depth and complexity to a text.

• Create contrast or points of comparison.

Multiple Choice

Another word for tone is...

• diction

• attitude

• point of view

• atmosphere

Multiple Choice

Imagery helps the reader to...

• determine the historical background of a text

• understand the author's background

• understand verbal irony

• create a mental picture

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which type of imagery is being used.

Ivan’s sweaty gym clothes left a stale odor in the locker room; so they had to keep the windows open.

• visual

• auditory

• olfactory

• tactile

• gustatory

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which type of imagery is being used.

Glittering white, the blanket of snow covered everything in sight and also blocked the street.

• visual

• auditory

• olfactory

• tactile

• gustatory

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which type of imagery is being used.

The tree bark was rough against the deer’s skin but it did satisfy its itch.

• visual

• auditory

• olfactory

• tactile

• gustatory

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which type of imagery is being used.

Kids could hear the popping and crackling as their mom dropped the bacon into the frying pan, and soon the salty, greasy smell wafted toward me.

• visual

• auditory

• olfactory

• tactile

• gustatory

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which adjective best describes the tone.

His eye was like the eye of a vulture, the eye of one of those terrible birds that watch and wait while an animal dies, and then fall upon the dead body and pull it to pieces to eat it.

• relaxing

• threatening

• judgmental

• fearful

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which adjective best describes the tone.

Thanks for not answering my call. I was at the hospital for your sister and she needed you. A great brother you are!

• sarcastic

• grateful

• complimentary

• relieved

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which adjective best describes the tone.

In the early dawn, I take my cup of coffee to the old rocker on the porch and take in the quiet scene of the river carving its way through the valley.

• disturbed

• exhausted

• peaceful

• anxious

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine which adjective best describes the tone.

I remember when my dog used to run around with the youthful energy of a puppy. He would always find his way into the trash can and litter scraps of food, paper and other debris around the house. Though it made me mad, I would love to have to clean up after him one more time. I would love to have him back.

• passive

• distraught

• frustrated

• nostalgic

Now, you can read "The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees"