Tone

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Tone

• The Indirect Ways That Writers Communicate

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• Tone is the emotion or mood of the authors
  written voice. It is the authors attitude
  toward the topic.

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Characteristics of Tone Words

• Objective (impartial)
• Unbiased
• Neutral
• Formal

• Subjective (personal)
• Biased
• Emotional
• Informal

Check your textbook for an extensive list of
tone words.
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Understanding Tone

• Refers to the authors attitude toward his/her
  subject.
• Think of how you interpret the tone of a
  speakers voice
• Pay attention to word choice, types and length of
  sentences, description
• Tone is important in determining the authors
  purpose.

• Examples
• Instructive
• Sympathetic
• Persuasive
• Humorous
• Nostalgic
• vindictive
• Angry
• Insensitive
• Sarcastic
• Assertive
• Absurd

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Choose the tone

• Mom, please, she said as she rolled her eyes,
  I would rather do it myself.
• a. emotional b. neutral

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Choose the tone

• Mom, please, she said as she rolled her eyes,
  I would rather do it myself.
• a. emotional b. neutral

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Choose the tone

• 2. Mother, I would like to introduce you to my
  professor, Dr. Henry!
• a. formal b. informal

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Choose the tone

• 2. Mother, I would like to introduce you to my
  professor, Dr. Henry!
• a. formal b. informal

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Choose the tone

• 3. Mom, Im having a terrible time could you
  please, please come over?
• a. details of facts b. details of experience

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Choose the tone

• 4. My mothers name is Gerta Powell, and she was
  born in 1933.
• a. objective b. subjective

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Choose the tone

• 4. My mothers name is Gerta Powell, and she was
  born in 1933.
• a. objective b. subjective