Listen to me say the following sentence three times:

I can’t wait until you get here. What did you notice about the three versions?

Which one had some SARCASM to it?

Which one was HONEST and SINCERE?

Which one showed EXCITEMENT?

How could you tell?

In literature, this feeling is called TONEThe author’s attitude toward his/her subject, characters, or audience.

The author’s word choice is the most direct indicator of tone.

The easiest first choice to make about tone is if it is NEGATIVE or POSITIVE.

My sister sang at our cousin’s wedding last June. I’d heard her sing before, but our extended family never had. My sister always talked about being in the choir. However, I don’t think everyone realized the magnificence of her voice. When she hits the high notes, a ringing sweetness courses through the room. She belts out ballads with passion and emotion. The audience at the wedding was mesmerized by her performance. I only wish that I could sing as well as her. When I sing, the audience suddenly looks like they all got indigestion. I guess I should just leave the singing up to my sister. I only sing in the shower and in my car.

Which of the following would describe the author’s overall tone?

a. jealous b. hopeful c. angry d. admiring

Positive or Negative?

1. Which passage demonstrates an optimistic tone?

A. Passage 1B. Passage 2C. Passage 3D. Passage 4

2. Which passage demonstrates a furious tone?

A. Passage 1B. Passage 2C. Passage 3D. Passage 4

3. Which passage demonstrates an anguished tone?

A. Passage 1B. Passage 2C. Passage 3D. Passage 4

4. Which passage demonstrates a pessimistic tone?

A. Passage 1B. Passage 2C. Passage 3D. Passage 4

6. The tone of the poem is ___.

A. giddyB. enviousC. caringD. proud

5. What is the tone of the poem?

A. ashamedB. excitedC. respectful D. arrogant

TONE VS. MOOD

Feelings in a work of literature.

The AUDIENCE experiences the feeling.

The AUTHOR is showing his/her feelings.