1. Tone
is a particular way of expressing feelings or attitudes that will influence how the reader feels about the characters, events, and outcomes. Speakers show tone more easily than writers because they can use voice tone, gesture, and facial expressions. A writer must use words alone.

2. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3TZGZn5VwA What is ‘tone’?
How can you identify it?

3. TONE is simply the author’s attitude toward the subject.
You can recognise the tone/attitude by the language/word
choices the author uses. His language will reveal his/her
perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive/negative)
about the subject.
Tone must be inferred through the use of descriptive words.

4. Look at the following two letters
Look at the following two letters. Both convey essentially the same information, but they have two rather different tones. Letter A Dear Client: Thank you for your letter. We will take your suggestion into consideration. We appreciate your concern. Letter B Dear Valued Customer: Thank you for your recent letter regarding our refund policy and procedure. We are taking your suggestion quite seriously and truly appreciate your concern.

5. Use your observations to answer the following questions.
The tone of letter A is best classified as
a) sincere.
b) complimentary.
c) indifferent.

6. The tone of letter B is best classified as
a) cheerful.
b) sincere.
c) apologetic.

7. Which of these letters has a more positive tone?
Why? Evidence.

8. Letter B uses key words like "valued customer" and "truly appreciate."
Refers to the specific contents of the reader's letter, thus letting the reader know that his or her letter has been read.
Furthermore, letter B tells the reader not just that the company "will take your suggestion into consideration"—which sounds a bit like an empty promise but that the writers are taking the suggestion "quite seriously."

9. You may have also noticed that the sentences in letter B are longer than those in letter A. What meaning does this construe to the reader?

10. The tone of this passage is ominous, suggesting a little bit
The girls were playing in the pond, splashing each other
and trying to catch fish with their hands. They were
having fun, but kept looking over their shoulders at the
looming forest. The long grass of the field kept moving and
they sort of felt like they were being watched… About a half
hour passed and still the girls kept checking the field for
movements. It seemed like a pair of dark eyes was on them.
They even considered going back inside, but that would
mean homework time. So they continued splashing, but
with caution now. Their eyes hardly left the field.
The tone of this passage is ominous, suggesting a little bit
Of fear or foreboding. Words like "caution, dark, and
looming“ lead readers to the tone.

11. Identifying the TONE is all about knowing the definitions of many descriptive vocabulary words. Without this large vocabulary, it’s difficult to describe outside of “good” and “bad.”

12. POSITIVE TONE Admiring Amicable Appreciative Approving Calm
Conciliatory
Diplomatic
Elated
Enthusiastic
Fervent
Friendly
Lively
Passionate
Reasonable
Respectful
Sympathetic

13. POWERFUL/STRONG TONE Amazed Astonished Authoritative Carping Caustic
Confrontational
Conservative
Controlled
Definite
Demanding
Didactic, Instructive
Forceful
Forthright
Hypocritical
Incredulous
Moralising
Outraged
Pessimistic
Sacrilegious
Snide
Strident

14. NEGATIVE TONE Aggressive Arrogant Bitter Bullying Cynical
Disillusioned
Disappointed
Disparaging
Dogmatic
Hostile
Irritated
Insincere
Insulting
Officious
Patronising
Scathing
Strident
Superior
Sycophantic
Threatening
Venomous, Vindictive

15. MOCKING TONE Derisive Facetious Flippant Irreverent Mocking Ridiculing
Sarcastic
Scornful
Sardonic

16. OTHER USEFUL TONE WORDS
Nostalgic
Apathetic
Apologetic
Baffled
Benevolent
Bland
Blasé
Businesslike
Clichéd
Deprecating, Belittling, Insulting
Despondent
Formal
Indifferent
Matter of fact, Frank
Measured
Neutral
Puzzled
Reasonable
Regretful
Stoic

17. Donovan and Larry were early for baseball practice
Donovan and Larry were early for baseball practice. They decided to run up and down the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the team arrived. Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away. Donovan whispered, “We should help him out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice surprise.”

18. How would you describe the tone of
this author?
Angry
Detached
Sympathetic
Evidence?

19. About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night
About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.

20. How would you describe the tone of
this author?
Disgruntled
Nonchalant
Serious
Evidence?

21. is the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences.
Style
is the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences.

22. Formal
Vocabulary: high-level; business-like
Organization of text: very structured; perhaps with subtopics
Audience – usually written in the third person
Sentences: structure varies

23. Informal
Vocabulary – low-level; perhaps slang; dialogue
Organization of text – more so narrative or note-like
Audience – usually written in the first person
Sentences – don’t vary as much in structure; mostly simple or compound sentences

24. About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night
About three million people have to look for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.

25. How would you describe the writing style of this author?
Formal
Conversational
Colourful
Evidence?

26. Style Words Amusing Balanced Chatty Clear Colloquial Colourful
Controlled
Conversational
Convoluted
Direct
Dramatic
Flowery
Vivid
Witty
Focused
Formal
Fragmented
Incisive
Informal
Learned
Lucid
Measured
Mellifluous
Melodramatic
Polished
Sophisticated