Module 2: Word Choice, Tone, and Perspective

​Module 2 Word Choice, Tone, and Perspective

By Donna Kapa

Module 2 Word Choice, Tone, and Perspective

​Objective

Today we will figure out how an author’s word choices help us understand their tone (how they feel) and their perspective (what they think about the topic).

Poll

Which word sounds more positive?

• Determined

• Stubborn

​Connotation

Which word sounds more positive?

Determined

Stubborn

Both words mean someone keeps going even when things are hard — but one sounds like a compliment, and the other sounds like criticism. That’s the power of connotation.

​Connotation = Words with Feelings

Definition: The feeling a word gives you — positive, negative, or neutral.

Examples:

• Positive: determined, celebrated, courageous

• Negative: stubborn, reckless, exhausted

• Neutral: said, walked, house

Module 2 Word Choice, Tone, and Perspective

​Key Terms

• Connotation

• Tone

• Perspective

​Connotation Creates Tone

Harriet Tubman was celebrated for her incredible courage and determination. She bravely led dozens of enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad, often risking her own life. Supporters admired her clever planning and praised her for never losing a single passenger. Despite danger and threats, she remained steadfast, showing extraordinary leadership and hope to those who followed her. Many people came to respect her as a symbol of freedom and justice.

​Tone - Author’s Attitude or Feelings

Definition: How the author feels about the subject.
(Shows up in their word choice.)

Examples:

• Admiring Tone → “remarkable,” “heroic”

• Serious Tone → “dangerous,” “exhausting”

• Critical Tone → “unfair,” “harsh,” “wrong”

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage to determine the author's tone based on the words in bold:

The journey on the Underground Railroad was dangerous and exhausting. Travelers faced cold nights, hunger, and the constant fear of being captured. Many walked for miles through forests and swamps, hiding from slave catchers and avoiding patrols. The path to freedom required sacrifice and courage, and some did not survive the attempt. Despite these hardships, many people risked everything because they believed life in freedom was worth the struggle.

• Humorous

• Excited

• Serious

• Sac

Draw

Underline positive words in blue and negative/serious words in red using the drawing

Multiple Choice

Which word best shows the positive view the author has of the boycott?

• tired

• arrests

• courage

• threats

Multiple Choice

After marking the positive and negative words, how would you describe the author’s overall tone in this passage?

• Positive — the author admires the protesters and sees the boycott as inspiring.

• Negative — the author is critical of the boycott and disapproves of the protesters.

Multiple Choice

Based on the passage, what does the author believe about the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• It was too dangerous and should have ended quickly.

• It was unfair to the bus companies.

• It was a small event that didn’t change much.

• It was an important and inspiring example of peaceful protest.

Open Ended

Read the passage carefully.

Find 2–3 words that show how the author feels about women working during WWII.

Decide on the tone: Is it positive (admiring/respectful) or negative (critical/disapproving)?

Explain the author’s perspective: What does the author think about women taking these jobs?

Write 3–4 sentences about the author’s tone and perspective.

Use this frame if you need help:

The author’s tone is ___. The words “____” and “_____” show this because they make the topic sound _____. This tells me the author thinks _____ about the topic.

​Review

Good job today!
Let's review!

Multiple Choice

Which pair of words both have positive connotations?

• Celebrated, courageous

• Exhausting, dangerous

• Arrests, threats

• Lonely, risky

Multiple Choice

Tone is:

• The events that happened in the story

• The characters’ feelings

• How the author feels about the topic

• The order of events

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of connotation?

• The dictionary definition of a word

• The feeling or emotion a word gives you

• The sound a word makes when you say it

• The number of syllables in a word