What does "Tone" mean in terms of reading poetry or literature?

Tone tends to be associated with the poem 's voice. Tone is how the writer/author decides to present their work.

You don't want to use the wrong tone with your parents.

What is the "tone" of a story?

The author, narrator, or speaker's attitude toward a subject

The feeling the passage evokes from the reader

The time and place of the story

The summary of events in the story

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. 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?

The author doesn't have a tone.

What is the "tone" of a story?

The author, narrator, or speaker's attitude toward a subject

The feeling the passage evokes from the reader

The time and place of the story

The summary of events in the story

The author's attitude towards something

Tone is the author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject. 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. Read the following passage. The school was dark and cold, and the hallways were empty. I walked by rows of blue-gray locker doors, dented and bent into strange shapes until I reached it: Room 209. It was here that I was a freshman in high school, new to the town and without a friend in the world. All those years ago, I had sat in a desk in this room, surrounded by strangers who could not pronounce my name and did not bother to ask me. Which detail from the passage best creates a gloomy, lonely mood?

"The school was dark and cold, and the hallways were empty."

"All those years ago, I had sat in a desk in this room..."

"It was here that I was a freshman in high school... "

"I walked by rows of blue-gray locker doors..."

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.

Do You Know Your Tones & Moods

Authored by Yanira Santiago Reyes

English

9th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 12+ times

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31 questions

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MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

dear

mean

ugly

sweet

jealous

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

FILL IN THE BLANK QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

What's the difference between the tone and the mood of a passage?

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

dear

mean

ugly

sweet

jealous

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

Ironic

Informational

Joyful

Dramatic

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

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 tone?

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

What is the TONE of this scene?

"Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told us about her fiance and their wedding plans."

Annoyed

Cheerful

Grateful

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

I feel like throwing something! I was typing my paper and was almost finished. Then the power went out. Now my paper is lost. This is a horrible night.
What is the tone of this story?

serious

excited

angry

scary

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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Do You Know Your Tones & Moods

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

What's the difference between the tone and the mood of a passage?

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

What is the TONE of this scene?

"Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told us about her fiance and their wedding plans."

I feel like throwing something! I was typing my paper and was almost finished. Then the power went out. Now my paper is lost. This is a horrible night.
What is the tone of this story?

"The night was dark and stormy."
The tone is ..................

Which of these seem gloomy?

Which of these seem gloomy?

Access all questions and much more by creating a free account

Similar Resources on Wayground

Popular Resources on Wayground

Discover more resources for English

Do You Know Your Tones & Moods

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

What's the difference between the tone and the mood of a passage?

Check all words that demonstrate a loving tone.

What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

What is the TONE of this scene?"Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told us about her fiance and their wedding plans."

I feel like throwing something! I was typing my paper and was almost finished. Then the power went out. Now my paper is lost. This is a horrible night. What is the tone of this story?

"The night was dark and stormy."The tone is ..................

Which of these seem gloomy?

Which of these seem gloomy?

Access all questions and much more by creating a free account

Similar Resources on Wayground

Popular Resources on Wayground

Discover more resources for English

What is the TONE of this scene?

"Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told us about her fiance and their wedding plans."

I feel like throwing something! I was typing my paper and was almost finished. Then the power went out. Now my paper is lost. This is a horrible night.
What is the tone of this story?

"The night was dark and stormy."
The tone is ..................