TONE
DEFINITION the writer s or speaker s attitude toward a subject. Identifying a writer s tone is often key to figuring out his or her themes. To determine the tone, we as readers need to be able to identify: D: Diction I: Imagery D: Details L: Language S: Sentence Structure
EXAMPLES OF TONE WORDS abashed abrasive abusive accepting acerbic acquiescent admiring adoring affectionate aghast allusive amused angry anxious apologetic apprehensive approving arch ardent argumentative audacious awe-struck bantering begrudging bemused benevolent biting bitter blithe boastful bored bristling brusque calm candid caressing caustic cavalier childish child-like clipped cold complimentary condescending
DICTION Diction= Word Choice When we analyze an author s diction, we try to answer the following questions: What words does the writer use? What do those words mean? (Denotation=dictionary definition) What is the connotation (the feeling associated with the word)? Connotation vs Denotation
FOR EXAMPLE What is the difference in connotation (feeling) when we use certain words instead of others? To walk: to saunter, to stroll, to amble, to stagger, to hike To say: to reveal, to articulate, to declare, to state, to exclaim, to shout, to mention To laugh: to guffaw, to chuckle, to titter, to giggle, to cackle, to snicker, to roar Self-confident: proud, conceited, egotistical, stuck up, haughty, smug, complacent, arrogant, condescending House: home, hut, shack, mansion, cabin, chalet, abode, dwelling, shanty, domicile, residence Upset: annoyed, vexed, worried, cross, indignant, uneasy
IMAGERY The way an author describes a scene usually reveals a lot about the his or her attitude (tone). How? Why? How would you use sensory imagery to describe something positive? How would you use sensory imagery to describe something negative? Jot down the five types of sensory imagery, and the senses they appeal to. Visual - see Auditory hear Gustatory - taste Tactile - touch Olfactory - smell
FOR EXAMPLE What kind of feeling do you get through the use of this imagery? It was dark and dim in the forest. The words dark and dim are visual images. The children were screaming and shouting in the fields. Screaming and shouting appeal to our sense of hearing or auditory sense. He whiffed the aroma of brewed coffee. whiff and aroma evoke our sense of smell or olfactory sense. The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric. The idea of soft in this example appeals to our sense of touch or tactile sense. The fresh and juicy orange is very cold and sweet. juicy and sweet when associated with oranges have an effect on our sense of taste or gustatory sense.
REVIEW What is imagery? What are our five sensory words?
DETAILS Defined: What the writer chooses to include or omit. It s the SPECIFICS: #s, Names of Places, people, things etc., times, weather etc. For example: Imagine two mothers are talking to their teenage daughters about a trip the daughter is planning with her friends. They want to go downtown. One talks about Millennium Park, Navy Pier, shopping on North Michigan Avenue, the breathtaking view from the Willis Tower. Another, however, describes 100 homeless people begging for money, the foul alleys, 12:00 traffic jam on the confusing public transportation system, and how the entire trip cost $500! Based on what details each decides to include, what are their attitudes?
FOR EXAMPLE Scenario: You fail a test. You want to ask your teacher to retake the test. What you tell your teacher: I was up all night studying, I don t know how I could have done so poorly. Is there anyway that I can retake the test or make up the assignment? What really happened: You were up all night, but you forgot to study and were actually playing video games.
REVIEW How do we define details? What type of things are included in details? Do our details change to fit our audience?
LANGUAGE Colloquial Language Formal Language Foreign Language Usually used in informal writing situations (slang) Creates a conversational tone in the writing. Gives a piece a casual, relaxed effect. Example: Man, adults are clueless about what is important to the younger generation. Usually phrased in proper English Implies a more serious attitude toward a situation. Example: Scientific language/ academic language will be used in different situations. Adolescent homo sapiens have a tendency to Example: Adults may not be aware of what is important to the younger generation. A language other than one commonly spoken amongst people For our purposes, anything NOT in English Think about House on Mango Street and Esperanza putting words in Spanish. WHY? Dialects (accents) different WAYS people say certain words. What does this tell us?
AMY POEHLER S HARVARD COMMENCEMENT SPEECH Read through the transcript of Amy Poehler s Harvard speech Underline the parts of her speech where she switches from formal to informal language
EXIT SLIP Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper and turn in to the chair before you leave: How did the change in language from formal to informal affect the tone of her speech? Were you more or less interested due to the changes? Did the tone shift to fit formal vs informal? Or was there one constant tone?
SENTENCE STRUCTURE LENGTH & ORDER: The length and order of a sentence can also establish tone. PUNCTUATION: Question Marks Exclamation Marks Periods For example: As her alarm clock sounded softly on the nightstand beside him, William reached over, pressing the snooze button as he yawned and began to open his eyes. He yawwwwned and stretchhhed his arms wide over his head without a second thought. Karen woke with a start. Her room was silent. It was bright. Weird. What time is it? She glanced over.the clock read: 8:00 a.m.! She had to hurry! Oh my goodness! Late! For her first day!
FOR EXAMPLE Imagine that you are telling your friend about what happened during your day. Explain your day using that reflect your tone. Did you wake up late and rush around (hurried tone) Was your day nice, easy and relaxing? (leisurely tone) Did something surprising happen? Make sure to use the appropriate kinds of punctuation