DICTION AND TONE Authors use specific words (diction) and carefully chosen descriptive details to create a feeling.

In discussing writing, we call such a feeling atmosphere or tone. As an active reader, one of your jobs is to think about how an authors choice of detail and diction contributes to the feeling or tone of a piece of writing. Tone is not a concrete element of language as is diction, detail, imagery, or syntax. Instead, tone is one of the most common ends we analyze in our writing and in others writings. Tone, simply defined, is an authors attitude toward a subject. Since effective communication, spoken and written, hinges upon conveying the appropriate and intended tone, we must heed how one word or image or detail or sentence structure can either inspire or irritate our audience. Misunderstanding and miscommunication often revolve around either a messenger being careless to her tone or a receiver misinterpreting tone. Tone is often subtle, stealthy. Thus, we must be careful as we analyze others tone. Remember, tone is an end of rhetoric, whereas diction, imagery, selected details, and manipulated syntax are tangible means that can reveal an authors tone. Do not confuse tone or attitude with mood. Both terms typically deal with emotions or lack thereof. To help you discern between these two concepts, these two ends of rhetoric, remember these points: An author has an attitude toward a subject. Thus, you might be frustrated with your chemistry homework. Your attitude toward your chemistry homework might be described as disgusted, cynical, or hopeless, depending on how deep is your despair. Mood refers to a persons state of being or a places atmosphere. Your disgusted attitude toward your chemistry homework might put you in an irate mood. So, think of tone and attitude as being directed or projected outwardly toward something (even toward oneself). Mood radiates from within a person or a place.

Positive tone / attitude lighthearted hopeful exuberant enthusiastic complimentary confident cheery optimistic loving passionate amused elated sympathetic compassionate proud

Negative tone / attitude words Anger: angry disgusted outraged accusing condemnatory furious wrathful bitter inflammatory irritated indignant threatening Humor / Irony / Sarcasm: scornful disdainful contemptuous sarcastic cynical critical facetious patronizing satiric condescending sardonic mock-heroic bantering irreverent mock-serious taunting insolent pompous ironic flippant Sorrow / Fear / Worry: somber elegiac melancholic sad disturbed mournful solemn serious apprehensive concerned hopeless staid resigned Neutral tone / attitude words: formal objective incredulous nostalgic ceremonial candid shocked reminiscent restrained clinical baffled sentimental detached objective disbelieving questioning urgent instructive matter-of-fact admonitory learned factual didactic informative authoritative (Adopted from The Great Books; Hamilton, 2004) Another way to think about tone is to compare it to the tone of your speaking voice. For example: I want to go home now. (flat, neutral: simple statement) I want to go home now. (whiny) I want to go home now. (impatient) I want to go home now. (tired, worn out) As you can hear, tone of voice, gives us cues to how the speaker is feeling. But a writer must rely on the written word to create the emotion or tone of the piece.