To Understand What Tone Means, Imagine You Are Reading the Text Aloud, and Ask Yourself
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Tone
To understand what tone means, imagine you are reading the text aloud, and ask yourself how it would sound. If you practise reading texts aloud, you will have a better understanding of how tone can be conveyed through the use of particular words. It is important to understand that the tone can change the way a point of view is understood. For example, if someone says “I love your haircut” in a sarcastic tone, you know that he or she does not actually like it. If the one is sincere, you believe the person. Task:
Cut and paste the following tone words in the correct synonym groups below (Positive, Negative, Neutral, Powerful and Cynical):
Bland Angry Astonished Appreciative Confrontational Respectful Outraged Enthusiastic Forceful Diplomatic Sarcastic Approving Patronising Pessimistic Superior Sympathetic Optimistic Blasé Aggressive Mocking Formal Hostile Businesslike Threatening Bullying Arrogant Passionate Calm Serious Benevolent Exuberant
Positive Negative Neutral Powerful Cynical Choose 10 of the tone words above and write down a synonym and antonym for each.
Word Synonym Antonym 1. Appreciative Thankful Ungrateful
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Extension Task:
When you identify examples in an article to illustrate the tone, be sure to identify the exact individual words or phrases that indicate the tone to you. Look at the following example.
“This ceremonious pomp and posturing is sadly typical of a government obsessed with public image.”
Tone: scornful, critical
Example: “ceremonious pomp and posturing”
Effect: represents the government as focussing on outward show and self- promotion at the expense of action, encouraging readers to feel resentful about the fact that nothing has been done
Tone: cynical
Example: “sadly typical”
Effect: suggests that the conceited behaviour is no surprise; paints the government in a negative light
Your turn
Complete the following exercises in the same fashion as the example above.
“The entire community should feel proud of its achievements- not for a very long time have we seen such a tireless display of teamwork and genuine compassion. Hats off to you all.”
Tone:
Example:
Effect: “It’s high time these silly individuals stopped acting like children and took some responsibility, or is it mummy and daddy who needs a good talking to?”
Tone:
Example:
Effect: