Tone Exercises

TONE EXERCISES

Tone vs. Mood

Mood is the emotions that you feel while you are reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others, angry. The main purpose for some poems is to set a mood. In prose, a paragraph, excerpt (several paragraphs which might include dialogue) and even a sentence…or a single word like “Bam!”

Tone is the attitude that an author takes toward the audience, the subject, or the character. Tone is conveyed through the author's words and details.

"Tone" is the author's attitude toward a subject while "mood" is the emotion created (and usually experienced by the reader/audience) due to the author's tone. For example, a sarcastic tone from a child (author) can often create anger in the parent (audience). For example, contempt for the subject and arrogance toward the audience will be revealed in a scathing or sarcastic tone which, in turn, creates a mood of pain, anger, sadness, revulsion or contempt in the audience. When detecting and discussing tone, answers will be similar (except in satire when it is easy to miss the tone), but when discussing mood, they depend on the reaction of each member of the audience. What makes one angry may make another pity, etc.

Tone emanates from an author's attitude toward his subject; the reader needs to recognize how the narrator's emotions toward the subject should color his own response to the text.

Mood results more from the author/narrator's intention to produce an emotional response in the reader to what is going on in the text; thus the reader needs to recognize how (s)he is supposed to feel as opposed to what the narrator is feeling.

Examples

First One↓

During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country, and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher.

Tone: melancholic and somber (Atmosphere: oppressive)
Content (what) clues: At dusk on a cloudy autumn day, a solitary horseman passes an isolated house.
Style (how) clues: diction, (dull, dark oppressive, dreary, melancholy); syntax: highly descriptive, complex sentences; long vowels (reads slooooowly), alliterative, assonant

1. Now, what is the mood?

Second One↓

A throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments, and gray steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes.

Tone:
Content (what) clues:

Style (how) clues:

An example of how you might write or talk about tone/mood↓

In the "Prison Door" chapter at the beginning of The Scarlet Letter, for example, Hawthorne's diction, choice of details, imagery, and syntax, together with the suppression of narrative (no story yet) all contribute to an oppressive, austere and somewhat gloomy atmosphere. Is that tone or mood? Yet running alongside or perhaps just beneath this 'voice' is a counter-voice -- urbane, kindly, detached -- that gently mocks the Puritans' inability to overcome either natural law (we still need graveyards) or human nature (we still need prisons), and that offers the reader a hopeful, compassionate and beautiful wild rose at the entry to the somber story.

More examples…with the class
1. Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans.
2. She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her.
3. She lay on the couch in a white evening dress, whispering softly in the ear of her fiancC3A9, running her fingers through his hair and gently nibbling his earlobe.
4. Bursting through the door, the flustered mother screamed uncontrollably at the innocent teacher who gave her child an F.
5. Drawing the attention of his classmates as well as his teacher, the student dared to experiment with his professor’s intelligence by interrogating him about the Bible.
6. He furtively glanced behind him, for hear of his imagined pursuers, then hurriedly walked on, jumping at the slightest sound even of a leaf crackling under his own foot.
7. Gently smiling, her mother tenderly tucked the covers up around the child’s neck, and carefully, quietly, let the room making sure to leave a comforting ray of light shining through the opened door should the child awake.
8. The laughing wind skipped through the village, teasing trees until they danced with anger and cajoling the grass into fighting itself, blade slapping blade, as the silly dog with golfball eyes and flopping, slobbery tongue bounded across the lawn.

Tone Analysis Passages

The vacant ice looked through it shouldn't have. They told him it had been put down only ten minutes ago following a basketball game, and ten minutes after the hockey match it would be taken up again to make room for something else.
But it looked not expectant but resigned, like the mirror simulating ice in the Xmas store window, not before the miniature fir trees and reindeer and cozy lamplit cottage were arranged upon it, but after they had been dismantled and cleared away.

Tone:
Content (what) clues:
Style (how) clues: ice personified
In my young years I took pride in the fact that luck was called a lady. In fact, there were so few public acknowledgments of the female presence that I felt personally honored whenever nature and large ships were referred to as a feminine. But as I matured, I began to resent being considered a sister to a changeling as fickle as luck, as aloof as an ocean, and as frivolous as nature.

Tone:
Content (what) clues:
Style (how) clues:

Today is very boring, it’s a very boring day, there is nothing much to look at, there is nothing much to say. There’s a peacock on my sneakers, there’s a penguin on my head, there’s a dormouse on my doorstep, I am going back to bed.

Tone:
Content (what) clues:
Style (how) clues:
Perhaps because bats are nocturnal in habit, a wealth of thoroughly unreliable legend has grown up about them, and men have made of the harmless, even beneficial little beasts a means of expressing their unreasoned fears. Bars were the standard paraphernalia for witches; the female half of humanity stood in terror that bats would become entangled in their hair. Phrases crept into the language expressing man’s revulsion or ignorance “Bats in the Belfry,” “Batty” “Blind as a Bat.”

Tone:
Content (what) clues:
Style (how) clues

Group SHORT STORY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

You will be doing the following for two short stories: Interpreter of Maladies and one more of your own choosing on

Pp367-495. If you choose to do Heart of Darkness, talk to me about bonus points.

Jot down specific notes on the following aspects of the story and how they help to support the work as a whole

Character
Tone—You will be doing some extra work for this category. Look at the various lists of tone words available to you on this handout. You will find this document online. Find 10 words that you can set up in the following way:

1. tone word with definition

2. direct quoted passage from the text to support your tone word.

Setting
Point of View

Briefly define what you believe to be the initiating incident, turning point and climax of each story.

How might you define the author’s style?

Tone/Attitude Words

accusatory-charging of wrong doing
apathetic-indifferent due to lack of energy or concern
awe-solemn wonder
bitter-exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief
cynical-questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people
condescension; condescending-a feeling of superiority
callous-unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others
contemplative-studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue
critical-finding fault
choleric-hot-tempered, easily angered
contemptuous-showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect
caustic-intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting
conventional-lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality
disdainful-scornful
didactic-author attempts to educate or instruct the reader
derisive-ridiculing, mocking
earnest-intense, a sincere state of mind
erudite-learned, polished, scholarly
fanciful-using the imagination
forthright-directly frank without hesitation
gloomy-darkness, sadness, rejection
haughty-proud and vain to the point of arrogance
indignant-marked by anger aroused by injustice
intimate-very familiar
judgmental-authoritative and often having critical opinions
jovial-happy
lyrical-expressing a poet’s inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like
matter-of-fact--accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional
mocking-treating with contempt or ridicule
morose-gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent
malicious-purposely hurtful
objective-an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside
optimistic-hopeful, cheerful
obsequious-polite and obedient in order to gain something
patronizing-air of condescension
pessimistic-seeing the worst side of things; no hope
quizzical-odd, eccentric, amusing
ribald-offensive in speech or gesture
reverent-treating a subject with honor and respect
ridiculing-slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of
reflective-illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions
sarcastic-sneering, caustic
sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic
satiric-ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach
sincere-without deceit or pretense; genuine
solemn-deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection

47. sanguineous -optimistic, cheerful48. whimisical-odd, strange, fantastic, fun

MORE TONE WORDS ON FOLLOWING PAGES

GUIDE TO TONE WORDS
Tone is more than merely an author’s attitude toward his/her audience and characters; it is the stylistic means by which an author conveys his/her attitude(s) in a work of literature. Tone is an integral part of a work’s meaning because it controls the reader’s response which is essential to fully experiencing literature. In order to recognize tonal shift and to interpret complexities of tone, the reader must be able to make inferences based on an active reading of the work.
Directions: Familiarize yourself with the denotations and connotations of the following tone words. This is by no means a comprehensive list! Your job will be to add to this list throughout the year, placing new tone words in their appropriate categories. You should also practice utilizing adjective and adverb forms of each word:
adjective: Leo uses a mocking tone when he describes Mr. Graham as a literary genius.
adverb: Leo mockingly describes Mr. Graham as a literary genius.
For more tone words and their meanings, consult a thesaurus!
simple, straightforward, direct, unambiguous, candid
indirect, understated, evasive, allusive
complicated, complex, difficult
admiring, worshiping, approving
complimentary, proud, effusive
disliking, abhorring, contemptuous
strident, harsh, acerbic, angry, outraged, violent
forceful, powerful, confident
energetic, vibrant
ironic, sardonic, sarcastic, mocking, sly, wry
satirical, critical
sharp, biting
bitter, grim, cynical
interested, sympathetic, pitiful
hollow, detached, cold, obdurate
tired, boring, uninterested
indifferent, unconcerned, disinterested, apathetic
impartial, objective
humorous, playful, joking, frivolous
flippant, irreverent, facetious
impish, silly, sophomoric, childish
resigned, calm, tranquil, quiet, peaceful, reticent
subdued, restrained
sad, upset, depressed, melancholy, despairing
afraid, fearful, horrific, terrified, panicked
wistful, nostalgic, sentimental
solemn, serious, somber
apologetic, penitent, ignominious
recalcitrant, stubborn, rebellious
apprehensive, anxious, pensive
thoughtful, dreamy, fanciful
vexed, uncertain, confused, ambivalent
excited, exhilarated, exuberant
ardent, fervent, zealous
happy, contented, ecstatic, joyful, giddy
incredulous, questioning, skeptical, dubious
insistent, urgent, pressing
pertinent, pointed, incisive, poignant
commanding, demanding
exhortatory, admonishing, censorious, damning
condescending, arrogant, haughty, dogmatic
elevated, grand, lofty, bombastic, pretentious
oratorical, dramatic, melodramatic
scornful, disdainful, supercilious
audacious, bold, impudent, insolent
alluring, provocative, seductive
shocking, offensive, reprehensible, lurid
didactic, instructive
Positive Tone/Attitude Words
Amiable Consoling Friendly Playful
Amused Content Happy Pleasant
Appreciative Dreamy Hopeful Proud
Authoritative Ecstatic Impassioned Relaxed
Benevolent Elated Jovial Reverent
Brave Elevated Joyful Romantic
Calm Encouraging Jubilant Soothing
Cheerful Energetic Lighthearted Surprised
Cheery Enthusiastic Loving Sweet
Compassionate Excited Optimistic Sympathetic
Complimentary Exuberant Passionate Vibrant
Confident Fanciful Peaceful Whimsical
Negative Tone/Attitude Words
Accusing Choleric Furious Quarrelsome
Aggravated Coarse Harsh Shameful
Agitated Cold Haughty Smooth
Angry Condemnatory Hateful Snooty
Apathetic Condescending Hurtful Superficial
Arrogant Contradictory Indignant Surly
Artificial Critical Inflammatory Testy
Audacious Desperate Insulting Threatening
Belligerent Disappointed Irritated Tired
Bitter Disgruntled Manipulative Uninterested
Boring Disgusted Obnoxious Wrathful
Brash Disinterested Outraged
Childish Facetious Passive
Humor-Irony-Sarcasm Tone/Attitude Words
Amused Droll Mock-heroic Sardonic
Bantering Facetious Mocking Satiric
Bitter Flippant Mock-serious Scornful
Caustic Giddy Patronizing Sharp
Comical Humorous Pompous Silly
Condescending Insolent Quizzical Taunting
Contemptuous Ironic Ribald Teasing
Critical Irreverent Ridiculing Whimsical
Cynical Joking Sad Wry
Disdainful Malicious Sarcastic
Sorrow-Fear-Worry Tone/Attitude Words
Aggravated Embarrassed Morose Resigned
Agitated Fearful Mournful Sad
Anxious Foreboding Nervous Serious
Apologetic Gloomy Numb Sober
Apprehensive Grave Ominous Solemn
Concerned Hollow Paranoid Somber
Confused Hopeless Pessimistic Staid
Dejected Horrific Pitiful Upset
Depressed Horror Poignant
Despairing Melancholy Regretful
Disturbed Miserable Remorseful
Neutral Tone/Attitude Words
Admonitory Dramatic Intimae Questioning
Allusive Earnest Judgmental Reflective
Apathetic Expectant Learned Reminiscent
Authoritative Factual Loud Resigned
Baffled Fervent Lyrical Restrained
Callous Formal Matter-of-fact Seductive
Candid Forthright Meditative Sentimental
Ceremonial Frivolous Nostalgic Serious
Clinical Haughty Objective Shocking
Consoling Histrionic Obsequious Sincere
Contemplative Humble Patriotic Unemotional
Conventional Incredulous Persuasive Urgent
Detached Informative Pleading Vexed
Didactic Inquisitive Pretentious Wistful
Disbelieving Instructive Provocative
DEVELOPING YOUR
“TONE WORD” VOCABULARY
Determining the “tone” of a piece of writing is a vitally important clue in interpreting the piece’s meaning. For this reason, AP test readers particularly value this quality. They go so far as to say that if you get the tone wrong in your essay, you will not pass their test.
Regardless of whether or not your goal is passing the AP test, however, learning how to discuss the tone of a piece of writing is an important skill for college writing. Once you become proficient at it, it becomes an easy way to discuss almost any piece of writing . . . no matter what class you are in at the time.
To discuss tone effectively, it’s important to develop your “tone vocabulary.” In other words, it will help you to learn terms that will help you to describe important nuances or connotations. In college, you want to go beyond -- “This story has a happy/sad/evil/bad tone.” Obviously, there are many words that can describe tone, arm yourself with a dozen or so that will help your papers stand out among the rest. Above all, though, be sure that the tone word you choose actually fits the piece of writing you are discussing AND that you cansupport your opinion with proof from the piece itself.
A SELECTION OF TONE WORDS
Positive tone/attitude: lighthearted, hopeful, enthusiastic, confident, optimistic, loving,
passionate, amused, elated, sentimental, sympathetic,
compassionate, proud
Negative tone/attitude: angry, disgusted, outraged, accusing, inflammatory, irritated,
indignant, threatening
Irony/Sarcasm: sarcastic, cynical, critical, facetious, patronizing, satiric, mockheroic,
irreverent,
mock-serious,
taunting,
ironic,
flippant,
Sorrow/Fear/Worry: somber, elegiac, gloomy, melancholic, disturbed, mournful, solemn,
serious, apprehensive, concerned, hopeless, resigned
General/Organizational: formal, objective, nostalgic, ceremonial, candid, shocked,
reminiscent, restrained, clinical, baffled, sentimental, detached,
objective, questioning, urgent, instructive, matter-of-fact, learned,
factual, didactic, informative, authoritative