Tone Analysis

Worksheet by Sharon Towner
Tone Analysis worksheet preview image
Subjects
ELA
Grades
10 , 9
Language
ENG
Assignments
17 classrooms used this worksheet

Tone Analysis by looking at word choice and other literary techniques. Fill in each blank with an appropriate word from your notes. Tone refers to the attitude an author displays toward his subject or audience. Mood refers to the audience’s feeling toward the subject of the writing. Authors work hard to create specific tones and moods in their writing, and the job of a careful reader is to “hear” the tone and mood—not just to read the words on the page.Tone and mood are often subtle. Since we can’t literally hear the author’s voice, we must infer his tone and mood from evidence in his writing. Reading this way requires careful attention to every choice an author makes; hence, it is called close reading.It’s harder to understand and create tone in writing since you can’t depend on vocal and facial expressions. But it can be done. Just as we understand tone in speech from what is said and how it’s said, the same is true in writing. It just takes more practice to see it. We create tone in writing through all of the elements of voice: Define each element of tone analysis. Match the following terms with their appropriate definitions. DICTION The word choice that an author uses. It refers to the specific phrasing and vocabulary in a text. IMAGERY The use of vivid descriptions and figures of speech. It provides mental pictures of things mentioned in the text. DETAILS The facts that make up the information that is included in or excluded from a text. They help to shape perspective and purpose of the text. LANGUAGE The entire body of words in a piece of text. It is used in a text to help shape it as a whole. STRUCTURE The format that the author uses. It refers to overall organizational format. It can influence the audience’s attitudes. How does figurative language help to createimagery? Sortthe following sentences with their appropriate figurative language. Assonance I must confess that in my quest I felt depressed and restless.” Metaphor "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief." Hyperbole I would walk 500 miles, And I would walk 500 more, Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at your door. Metonymy "The pen is mightier than the sword," Pun I've been to the dentist many times so I know the drill. Paradox “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.” Idiom Tomas accused me of cheating on the test, now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black. Euphemism As a result of being in between jobs, Mary could not afford the air fare. Irony He took a much-needed vacation, backpacking in the mountains. Unfortunately, he came back dead tired. Allusion "I thought the software would be useful, but it was a Trojan Horse." Identify the appropriate tone in the following passages.We have come together this afternoon to mourn the deaths of sixteen miners—our friends and neighbors—who were trapped by fire yesterday, deep below the earth. They lived bravely and they died too soon, leaving behind grieving wives and bewildered children. We bid them a final farewell. forgiving sorrowful rude nonchalant Why do these things always happen to me? Brad wondered. First I forget an important meeting, and nobody reminds me until it’s over. Then my boss dumps a big project on my desk and wants it done by yesterday. And to top everything off, I leave my wallet on the bus. comic optimistic self-pitying sentimental Each year in the middle of February, when slush is underfoot and the sky is a depressing gray, I begin dreaming of warm beaches, tropical fruits, and sunsets. If only I could save enough for a winter vacation! Maybe next year I’ll win the lottery. Meanwhile, I’ll read travel brochures and sigh. dubious exuberant introspective melancholy The following sentence was taken from a report.“In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, radio was a way to cheer people up when times were tough.”How should the student revise the underlined part of the sentence to create a more formal tone? radio broadcasts made people happy when things were really bad radio broadcasts were pleasant distractions in difficult times radio broadcasts helped people who were having a hard time feel better radio broadcasts were a way to make people forget about their problems "Look at what he did. Throwin’ up his First Communion breakfast. Throwin’ up the body and blood of Jesus. I have God in me backyard. What am I goin' to do? I'll take him to the Jesuits for they know the sins of the Pope himself."She dragged me through the streets of Limerick. She told the neighbors and passing strangers about God in her backyard."In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been a day since me last confessions.""A day? And what sins have you committed in a day, my child?" "I overslept. I nearly missed my First Communion. My grandmother said I have standing up, North of Ireland, Presbyterian hair. I threw up my First Communion breakfast. Now Grandma says she has God in her backyard and what should she do."Select ALL that applyThe speaker’s tone as he looks back on and describes this childhood memory is… repentant embarrassed proud arrogant amused entertained A connotation is the feeling a word invokes.A denotation is what the word literally says Sort the following sentences to illustrate the connotative or denotative use of the underlined words Denotative As snakes continue to grow, they shed the protective keratinous layer on the surface of their bodies because it does not expand. The local newspaper's front-page story indicated that $50,000 was taken from the town's largest bank during the night. The French are noted for their fine food. It was a beautiful spring day, and the scent of apple blossoms filled the whole yard. Connotative Oblivious to those around him, the father tenderly smirked at his newborn baby through the window of the hospital nursery. During rush hour traffic in a metropolis, cars creep along at agonizingly slow velocities . Although many Americans purchase meat at their local grocery stores, some farmers still execute livestock to feed their families. Reed and his cronies have controlled the politics in this city for more than 20 years. I certainly hope the other party wins this year!

Imagery Language tone
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