Author's Tone and Word Choice

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.

The author's attitude toward a subject they are writing about is called the ________________.

• mood

• foreshadowing

• tone

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.4

Read the following passage.

This house isn't perfect, but it's where my babies grew up. I know it all by heart. I know every stain on the carpet, every creaking floorboard and every paint chip on the windowsills. Each corner of this small space is filled with memories that I relive when I walk through the narrow hallways.

What words best describe the author's tone in the passage above?

• hopeless and afraid

• angry and violent

• sentimental and tender

• The author doesn't have a tone.

Answer explanation

sentimental and tender

The author's tone can be seen in the phrases "...where my babies grew up." and "...filled with memories." She has a sentimental and tender attitude toward the subject, her home.

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CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.4

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."

She is a busy body .

Does this phrase have a positive or negative connotation?

• positive connotation

• negative connotation

Answer explanation

Negative Connotation

A "busy body" is known as a person who is nosy and into everybody's business. It is a negative name.

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CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.RL.4.1

Read the following passage.

Some people might see my cat George soaking up a sunny spot in my living room or sleeping for 20 hours each day and think, "What a lazy cat!" But "lazy" is the wrong word for George. George the Cat is calm, and he is wise. The other night, for example, there was a terrible storm with crashing thunder and bright flashes of lightning that lasted two hours. Another cat might have darted around the room, frantic and hyper, thumping into walls and diving off countertops. But George just woke up from his perch and quietly analyzed the situation, watching me closely for cues to how to react.

What are the words from the passage that has a positive connotation or tone?

• "frantic" and "hyper"

• "calm" and "wise"

• "crashing" and "thumping"

• "sleeping" and "darted"

Answer explanation

"calm" and "wise"

"Calm" and "wise have a positive connotation.

The emotions attached to the words are good and positive.

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CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.4

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.

Which of the following passages has the most objective or neutral tone? HINT: Neutral has no opinion.

• Do you know about the brave dogs in Nome, Alaska, who saved the town in 1925?

• The people of Nome, Alaska were in big trouble in 1925. It was up to the dogs to save them.

• The hero dogs in Nome, Alaska, did what no pilot could do: they brought medicine to the town.

• In 1925, people were sick and planes couldn't land in Nome, Alaska. Teams of dogs delivered the medicine.

Answer explanation

In 1925, people were sick and planes couldn't land in Nome, Alaska. Teams of dogs delivered the medicine.

This passage sticks to the facts to describe this event. It DOES NOT use words with positive connotations to describe the dogs so it is neutral in tone.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

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.

Based on the passage, which of the following most likely has an objective tone?

• an encyclopedia entry

• a letter to a friend

• a movie review

• a political speech

Answer explanation

An encyclopedia entry

Accordign othe passage, "if you want to inform your reader and not persuade her, an objective tone might be best." An encyclopedia entry, which is meant to inform, most likely has an objective tone.

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CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

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. Using passive voice can take attention away from the person who did the action of a sentence. Verbals can give a piece of writing an exciting tone by adding descriptions of action. Authors make lots of choices when they write, and some of those choices will show their tone

In which of the following passages does repetition help establish a bitter tone?

• The spoiled child was not easily satisfied, he was not quick to laugh and he did not enjoy simple pleasures.

• There will be peace in our community, peace in our town, peace in our homes, and peace on Earth.

• The brave girl beat the dangerous dragon, got through the dangerous jungle, and survived the dangerous journey.

• My mom told me what happened and I cried until my tears filled up the car and I nearly drowned in them.

Answer explanation

The spoiled child was not easily satisfied, he was not quick to laugh and he did not enjoy simple pleasures.

In this passage, the repetition of "not" helps create the bitter tone the speaker has toward the child.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1