Tone

-The PowerPoint
What is tone? Tone is the writer's/speakers
attitude (emotion) toward
his/her subject.

Why does it Tone helps to establish the

mood, and mood is what
matter?
makes us engage in the text or
song or movie or TV show
Tone determines writers
diction, syntax, and use of
language.
Therefore, you can determine the
authors tone by examining the
writers diction, syntax, and use
of language.
 To understand tone: You must examine
Figurative language
Diction
Denotative &
Connotative meaning
 Understanding tone
Tone is deciphered through:
1. Figurative Language:
a tool that an author uses to help a reader visualize what is
happening in his or her literary work

2. Diction:
an authors choice of words.

3. Denotative/Connotative Language:
denotation is the literal meaning of a word.
Connotation involves a cultural or emotional feeling associated
with a word.
 1. Figurative Language
a tool that an author uses to help a reader visualize
what is happening in his or her literary work

A hippo sandwich is easy to make.

All you do is simply take
One slice of bread,
One slice of cake,
Some mayonnaise,
One onion ring,
One hippopotamus,
One piece of string,
A dash of pepper--
That ought to do it.
And now comes the problem...
Biting into it!
 Types of figurative language
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Pun
Allusion
Symbolism
Imagery
Hyperbole
Understatement
 Simile & Metaphor
A simile is a comparison A metaphor is a direct
of two unlike things comparison of two
using the words like or seemingly unlike things
as

Example: Example:
The dewdrops The dewdrops,
twinkle like exquisite
diamonds as diamonds,
the sun rose. sparkle on the
leaf.
 Personification & Pun
Personification
A figure of speech in which
the characteristics of
humans are assigned to
inanimate things or
animals.

Pun
The usually humorous use of
a word in such a way as to
suggest two or more of its
meanings or the meaning of
another word similar in
sound; a play on words.
Allusion
Allusion
a reference in a literary
work to a person, place,
or thing in history or in
another work of
literature. Allusions are
often indirect and can be
brief references to well-
known characters or
events.
The humor is found from
understanding the
creators references to
music typical of heroes
and villains.
 Symbolism & Imagery
Imagery: the use of
language to evoke a
sensory impression
or vivid picture in the
readers mind

Symbolism: the use of Example:

recurrent symbols or In the world there is nothing more
submissive and weak than water.
images in a work to Yet for attacking that which is hard
and strong, nothing can surpass it.
create an added level ~ Lao Tse
of meaning.
 Hyperbole & Understatement
An exaggeration for Downplaying the
humor or emphasis. severity or extremity
Im so hungry I of a situation.
could eat a
horse!
"It's just a flesh
wound."
(Black Knight, in
Monty Python and
the Holy Grail)
 2. Dictionword choice
Formal Informal
Formal diction Informal diction
consists of a represents the plain
dignified, impersonal, language of everyday
and elevated use of use (slang), and often
language; it follows includes idiomatic
the rules of syntax expressions, slang,
exactly and is often contractions, and
characterized by many simple,
complex words and common words.
lofty tone.
Examples: superb, excellent, Examples: sweet, tight, sick,
wonderful, exceptional cool, hot
Diction impacts your intention
The meek shall One is clearly more
inherit my wrath. intimidating, or evil
sounding, than the other.
versus
Im about to beat
you down little man.

Depending on the message you want to

convey, you should consider whether formal
or informal diction will fit best.
 3. Denotation & Connotation
Denotation is the Connotation involves
literal meaning of a emotions, values, or
word; there are no images associated
emotions, values or with a word. The
images associated intensity of
with denotative emotions or the
meanings power of the values
and images
associated with a
word varies.
 Denotation & Connotation
Denotative Connotative
meaning: meaning:

A red A sign that

octagon indicates
potential
danger ahead.

snake: any of Snake:

numerous scaly, Something evil or
legless, sometimes untrustworthy.
venomous reptiles Perhaps an omen of
having a long, bad things to come.
tapering, cylindrical
body.
 Tone Words
Afraid Fanciful Restrained
Allusive Frivolous Sad
Angry Giddy Sarcastic
Apologetic Happy Seductive
Audacious Hollow Sentimental
Benevolent Horrific Sharp
Bitter Humorous Shocking
Boring Irrelevant Silly
Candid Joking Somber
Childish Joyful Sweet
Cold Lugubrious Sympathetic
Complimentary Mocking Tired
Condescending Nostalgic Upset
Confused Objective Urgent
Contemptuous Peaceful Vexed
Detached Pitiful Vibrant
Didactic Poignant Zealous
Dramatic Proud
Dreamy Provocative
 Activities

And other tone teaching

techniques.
 Contributed by
H. Macias

DIDLS
DIDLSthe basic elements of tone broken
down.
In analyzing tone and style, certain components of
the selection of literature should be considered.
DIDLS is an acronym which may prove useful to
students to remind themselves of critical elements
which contribute to the analysis of style.
Five parts
Diction
Imagery
Details
Language
Syntax
 Contributed by
H. Macias

DIDLS
Diction Language
Word Choice Words that describe the entire
denotation body of words in a text not
connotation isolated bits of diction
Artificial, bombastic, colloquial, exact,
repetition specificity or
homespun, jargon, literal, moralistic
abstraction
Rhetorical Devices -- The use of
register language that creates a literary
length effect enhance and support
sound quality
Syntax
Imagery sentence length
Vivid appeals to understanding punctuation
through the senses sentence pattern
Details
Facts which are included - or
omitted specific information
description action
 Tone ActivitiesActing
Acting:
Create a skit
You have 20 minutes to create a skit about any
topic.
No more than 4 people per group
Your skit must be about 1 minute long
Each member of the group must have a speaking
part and each character in your skit must
embody a different tone from the list of tone
words.
Tone ActivitiesQuick sentence
Sentence Read:
All students will read the following neutral
sentence
I am an student at Granada Hills Charter High
School.
Students will read the sentence with
emotion that accompanies one of the tones
from the list of tone words.
 Tone ActivitiesRe-write a
passage
Rewrite a passage from a story to
reflect a different tone:
The devils were eight or nine feet tall, with wild and tangled hair. Their
horrific bodies were blackish and hairless, and their eyes as round as
monkeys eyes and as fierce as the bluest point of a flame. Apart
from some seaweed they had encased around their waists they
were naked, but all sorts of pictures were etched onto their skin,
with a sort of glowing outline, like the embers of a flame, framing
each picture. Each devil carried a long, jagged staff.

What tone best describes the authors

feelings/attitude toward the sea creatures?
 Tone ActivitiesRe-write a
passage
Re-Write the previous passage to reflect a
new tone:

Example:
The angels were elegant and soaring, with tresses that
sparkled and floated in the sunlight. Their graceful figures
were ethereal and their eyes as gentle as the kiss of Spring.
Apart from thin layers of silk that floated like capes around
them, they were nude. Their clothing was airyas if they were
clothed in clouds. Light emanated from their skin as if sunrays
escaped from each pore. Like seraphs coexisiting with sea life,
they brought a healing touch to their surroundings. Each angel
carried with them a shimmering staff of gold.
Tone ActivityRe-write a poem
Dust of Snow Sprinkle of Lunchtime
by Robert Frost by Period 4

The way a crow The way a seagulls climb

Shook down on me Shook upon me
The dust of snow The sprinkle of lunchtime
From a hemlock tree Through a blooming tree
Has given my heart Has forced upon my heart
A change of mood A change of mind
And saved some part And muted some part
Of a day I had rued. Of a day that should shine.
Tone ActivityComic Analysis:
What is the tone of this
comic?

How do you know?

What images, words, ideas

help to reinforce that idea?

What would enhance or

exaggerate the tone to
make it more specific?

Create your own 3 box comic

with picture and dialogue
that illustrates one of the
tones from the list of tone
words.
Just for fun