Tone
Definition
Tone refers to the author's attitude or feelings towards the subject matter of a text. It sets the overall mood and atmosphere of a piece of writing.
Analogy
Think of tone as the musical soundtrack that accompanies a movie. Just like how different soundtracks can evoke different emotions in viewers, the tone in writing can create various emotional responses in readers.
Related terms
Mood: The mood is the emotional atmosphere created by a literary work. It is closely related to tone but focuses more on how readers feel while reading.
Diction: Diction refers to the choice and use of words in writing. It plays a significant role in establishing the tone of a piece.
Connotation: Connotation refers to the implied meaning or associations that certain words carry beyond their literal definitions. It can greatly impact the overall tone of a text.
"Tone" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (6)
AP English Language - 1.1 Identifying the purpose and intended audience of a text
AP English Language - 2.1 Analyzing audience and its relationship to the purpose of an argument
AP English Language - 4.2 Developing introductions and conclusions
AP English Language - 6.4 Analyzing Tone and Shifts in Tone
AP English Language - 7.2 Considering how words, phrases, and clauses can modify and limit an argument
AP English Language - 8.4 Considering how style affects an argument
Additional resources (4)
Practice Questions (16)
What does the term tone refer to in writing?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between a writer's tone and style and their intended audience?
What are some elements that contribute to the tone of a passage?
How can context clues help in identifying the tone of a passage?
What role does word length, sentence length, and tempo play in determining the tone of a passage?
How does a metaphor contribute to the tone of a passage?
Why is it important to identify the tone of an author in a passage?
How can shifts in tone impact the reader's interpretation of a passage?
How can analyzing diction help in identifying the tone of a passage?
What should be considered when analyzing tone in relation to the author's identity?
How can syntax contribute to the tone of a passage?
What role do context clues play in identifying the tone of a passage?
Why is analyzing tone important in understanding the meaning of a passage?
How can analyzing imagery contribute to understanding the tone of a passage?
How can using an appropriate tone and voice benefit an argument?
What role can phrases play in shaping the tone of an argument?
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