Author's Craft: Style - Diction and Tone

This appliance has been designed with several attributes to reduce the impact on the environment. It creates no ozone gas. It is uses recycled paper and plastic parts of more than 25 grams as marked following the international standards guidelines for recycling.

What tone does the author’s diction create in this passage?

• informal

• official

• friendly

• playful

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

This appliance has been designed with several attributes to reduce the impact on the environment. It creates no ozone gas. It is uses recycled paper and plastic parts of more than 25 grams as marked following the international standards guidelines for recycling.

Which of these contributes to the author’s tone?

• idioms

• contractions

• slang

• technical language

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Let’s shout out Sammy’s Cakes! Sammy is a fan of the show with a local business that we’re thrilled to tell you about. What started as a simple dessert for a family dinner turned into a hustle that reaches all the corners of the city. Sammy’s cupcakes seriously hit the spot. I tucked a few away for a midnight snack! Get your grub on! Go see Sammy today.

What tone does the diction create in this passage?

• friendly and informal

• angry and uptight

• serene and businesslike

• childlike and wishful

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Let’s shout out Sammy’s Cakes! Sammy is a fan of the show with a local business that we’re thrilled to tell you about. What started as a simple dessert for a family dinner turned into a hustle that reaches all the corners of the city. Sammy’s cupcakes seriously hit the spot. I tucked a few away for a midnight snack! Get your grub on! Go see Sammy today.

Which feature most contributes to the author’s tone?

• idioms

• contractions

• slang

• technical language

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Match each term with its definition. Write your answers on the lines provided.

• the way an author feels about their subject

• tone

• informal language that is specific to a group

• contraction

• the choice and use of words and phrases

• slang

• a phrase with a meaning different than the words’ literal meaning

• diction

• a shortened form of two words used instead of the full form

• idiom

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Outside, the storm raged. Wind whistled sharply in the trees, and the branches shook violently. Lightning cracked and the darkness took over the neighborhood. Without electricity, candlelight made the inside of the house shadowy and moody. Viv cowered in a corner, and her dog howled with every new lightning strike. She could hear herself breathing. Suddenly the lights flickered, and she jumped in fear. The front door creaked open, revealing the threatening silhouette of a man in a cape.

Which of these best describes the overall tone of the excerpt?

• sad

• scary

• carefree

• lighthearted

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Outside, the storm raged. Wind whistled sharply in the trees, and the branches shook violently. Lightning cracked and the darkness took over the neighborhood. Without electricity, candlelight made the inside of the house shadowy and moody. Viv cowered in a corner, and her dog howled with every new lightning strike. She could hear herself breathing. Suddenly the lights flickered, and she jumped in fear. The front door creaked open, revealing the threatening silhouette of a man in a cape.

Identify the words in the passage that add to the tone.

• Adjectives and adverbs

• Nouns and pronouns

• Conjunctions and prepositions

• Verbs and interjections

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Outside, the storm raged. Wind whistled sharply in the trees, and the branches shook violently. Lightning cracked and the darkness took over the neighborhood. Without electricity, candlelight made the inside of the house shadowy and moody. Viv cowered in a corner, and her dog howled with every new lightning strike. She could hear herself breathing. Suddenly the lights flickered, and she jumped in fear. The front door creaked open, revealing the threatening silhouette of a man in a cape.

Which words in your passage helped you establish the tone?

• Adjectives

• Nouns

• Verbs

• Conjunctions

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4