Author's Tone

An accurate definition of author's tone is

• The overall atmosphere of a narrative

• The author's attitude toward the subject she/he's writing about

• The feelings evoked in the audience by a literary text

• An author's style of writing

Feelings evoked in the audience is known as:

• Point-of-View

• Summarization

• Tone

• Mood

The tone and mood of a text:

• Are synonymous

• Can differ

• Are stated by the author within the text

• Are dependent upon the point-of-view of a piece

What is the word that best describes the tone of the following passage? "As Murray quickly slammed on his breaks, he saw the red truck skidding toward him. He realized his fate had at long last caught up with him."

• Scary

• Sarcastic

• Hopeful

• Dark

How would you best describe the tone of this poem? "I never saw a purple cow, I never hope to see one. But I can tell you anyhow I'd rather see than be one."

• Humorous

• Sarcastic

• Disapproving

• Religious

What is the tone of this phrase? "Smile and the world smiles with you."

• Exhilarating

• Cautious

• Cheerful

• Serious

Read the following short story excerpt and identify the tone: "The desk clerk was an unfriendly man- pale, gaunt, and stooped-over. Something about his smile seemed off, even disingenuous. Through his smile, Kylie glimpsed yellow-black rotting teeth. And his breath was as rancid as his disposition. He mentioned the funeral. Had I told him I am here for a funeral? Relieved to walk away from him, Kylie glanced at her key card. Her room number was thirteen. No way. She turned and, out of the corner of her eye, caught him glaring at her. The annoying, insipid smile was gone. Get out! Instead of leaving, she found herself progressing up a steep and narrow staircase in search of Room Thirteen."

• Sentimental

• Sorrowful

• Foreboding

• Hostile

Which statement is false about the excerpt? "The desk clerk was an unfriendly man - pale, gaunt, and stooped-over. Something about his smile seemed off, even disingenuous. Through his smile, Kylie glimpsed yellow-black rotting teeth. And his breath was as rancid as his disposition. He mentioned the funeral. Had I told him I was here for a funeral? Relieved to walk away from him, Kylie glanced at her key card. Her room number was thirteen. No way. She turned and, out of the corner of her eye, caught him glaring at her. The annoying, insipid smile was gone. Get out! Instead of leaving, she found herself progressing up a steep and narrow staircase in search of Room Thirteen. "

• The author's tone is revealed in Kylie's thoughts (written in italics)

• The mood of the piece is chilling

• The language, characters, and internal monologue help create the tone

• The tone of the excerpt changes from the beginning to the end

True or false: Though the same action can be taking place in two different pieces, the tone can be different.

• True

• False

Read the two versions of the scene below, then determine the correct statement that follows.

Version One

The captain noted the ocean's depth was approximately 800 feet as the boat stopped. The regulations required that burial at sea must occur at least three nautical miles from shore and at a depth of at least 600 feet. The captain notified the family that they could begin the service.

Version Two

"At last," thought the captain, " we've reached a spot where the depth of the ocean was near 800 feet." He was nauseous from the heat and thought the regulations regarding burials at sea were ridiculously strict. He hurriedly told the family they needed to begin their service.

• The tone of Version One is sad, while the tone of Version Two is angry

• The tone of Version One is objective; the tone of Version Two is uncaring

• The tone of both pieces is objective

• The tone of both pieces is sad