Close Reading Tone

Tone – Definition The writer’s tone is the way in which he or she says something, as opposed to what he or she is actually saying. This might suggest the writer’s emotions or attitude towards the information being conveyed. Tone can often be identified by other language features used in that section of the passage, particularly sentence structure and word choice. When asked to comment on tone, you should re-read the section of the passage the question directs you to, attempting to determine the tone the writer adopts in this section of the passage, as well as evidence of how this tone is achieved.

Examples of Tone Here are some of the different types of tone that writers often use: Humorous Light-hearted Flippant Informal / conversational Effusive / gushing Tongue-in-cheek Mocking Euphemistic (skirting around a particularly sensitive topic, e.g. death, etc, etc.) Formal Pompous Ironic Sarcastic Satirical (holding a subject up to ridicule in order to attack it).

Ironic Tone Irony is one of the most commonly used examples of tone, and can be one of the hardest to grasp. The commonest form of irony is when the writer says the opposite of what he / she actually means. For example: “I’m really looking forward to sitting all those exams in a few weeks’ time!” However, irony can also be used to illustrate ideas in subtler ways. Consider this example from the Stanley Kubrick film “Dr. Strangelove”: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

Tone - Structure When commenting on the use of tone, it can be helpful to consider doing the following: a) Identify the tone you believe the writer is using. b) If possible, identify the language features the writer is using to make his / her tone clear (this will usually relate to the writer’s word choice). Explain the reason the writer has adopted this tone at this point in the passage. For example: “What a travesty!” The writer employs a tone of outrage through his use of the word word “travesty” and a short, exclamatory sentence. This suggests the writer’s condemnation of and contempt for the current state of the Scottish education system.

Tone - Examples Consider the examples below and for each one, try to identify: The tone used. The word(s) used to convey that tone. The reason you believe the writer has chosen to use this tone. Domestic violence is a particularly disgusting crime. Some people might consider it mad to spend five hundred pounds on Christmas presents for their children. Don’t you have a country? Don’t you live in the world? What the hell are you? You’re not even an animal, no animal kills his own, what are you? Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don't care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!

Tone – Answers (1) Domestic violence is a particularly disgusting crime. The writer uses an outraged tone, as can be seen by his use of the word “disgusting”. This emphasises his opinion on domestic violence and how he is against it. Some people might consider it mad to spend five hundred pounds on Christmas presents for their children. The writer has used an informal tone, as can be seen by his use of the word “mad”. This may be due to the light-hearted nature of the subject, or perhaps to try to appeal to the reader to be convinced by the arguments put forward.

Tone – Answers (2) 3. Don’t you have a country? Don’t you live in the world? What the hell are you? You’re not even an animal, no animal kills his own, what are you? Chris employs an outraged, disgusted tone, as can be seen when he refers to Joe as “what”, and also the barrage of questions he directs at Joe. This conveys his anger at the discovery Joe has shipped the faulty machine parts. 4. Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia! Not me! Julia! I don't care what you do to her. Tear her face off, strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me! Winston has a hysterical tone here, as can be seen by his use of short, exclamatory sentences and his repetition of “Do it to Julia”. This helps to show his extreme terror at the fact that O’Brien is about to let rats eat his face.