Tone List #1

Accusatory

• hostile and aggressive.

• indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something wrong

• having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority.

• assert something as a position in an argument

Aloof

• not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.

• open to more than one interpretation

• intended or likely to placate or pacify

• old-fashioned or outdated.

Ambiguous

• hostile and aggressive

• having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

• doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile

• open to more than one interpretation

Ambivalent

• cool and distant

• having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

• extremely complex and difficult to follow

• having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Antiquated

• verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic

• old-fashioned or outdated

• difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious

• having or showing great knowledge or learning

Belligerent

• hostile and aggressive

• intended or likely to placate or pacify

• extremely complex and difficult to follow

• not friendly or forthcoming

Charismatic

• mysterious

• expressing something forcibly and clearly

• exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in others

• having or showing great knowledge or learning

Conciliatory

• intended or likely to placate or pacify

• serving as a warning

• assert something as a position in an argument

• doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile

Condescending

• indicating that what one says is private or secret

• an aggressive way; hostile or argumentative

• mutually opposed or inconsistent

• having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

Convoluted

• aloof and objective; disconnected

• showing contempt or lack of respect

• extremely complex and difficult to follow

• disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed