Understanding Tone in Literature

What is the best definition of tone in literature?

• The main idea or lesson of a story

• The way a character speaks to another character

• The author’s or narrator’s attitude toward the subject

• The emotions a reader feels while reading a text

Which of the following best describes how an author conveys tone?

• Through word choice, sentence structure, and details

• By writing in all capital letters

• By using only positive or negative words

• Through the number of paragraphs in a passage

What is the difference between tone and mood?

• Tone refers to the author’s attitude, while mood is the feeling the reader experiences

• Tone and mood are the same thing

• Mood refers to the author’s feelings, while tone is how the reader feels

• Mood is only present in fiction, while tone is only in nonfiction

Which of the following tones would most likely be used in a scary story?

• Joyful and humorous

• Cheerful and lighthearted

• Ominous and suspenseful

• Encouraging and hopeful

If an author uses words like "heartbreaking," "loss," and "sorrow," what tone are they most likely creating?

• Playful

• Sarcastic

• Melancholy

• Hopeful

What tone is created by words such as "bright," "joyful," and "celebration"?

• Depressing

• Excited

• Gloomy

• Mysterious

How can you determine the tone of a passage?

• By identifying the adjectives used to describe characters

• By analyzing the author's word choices and how they create an emotional effect

• By looking at the length of the passage

• By counting how many times the author uses punctuation

If an author uses words like "gritty," "harsh," and "bleak," what tone are they likely creating?

• Hopeful

• Romantic

• Dark and serious

• Humorous