1. AP Language & Composition
Style Analysis: TONE
AP Language & Composition

2. Essays on the AP Exam
Argumentation  understanding a claim and then taking and defending a position
Analysis  breaking down parts of the whole to understand the writer’s purpose
Synthesis  taking and defending a position on a topic supported by the skillful integration of at least 3 out of 5+ sources provided

3. Part I: TONE
What does the word tone mean? (Define it in your own words, look it up in the dictionary, or ask a classmate.) Write your definition.
What does the phrase tone of voice mean? Write your definition.
List ten words that could describe a person’s tone of voice.

4. Authors convey feeling in writing the same way that people convey feeling through tone of voice. Writers, though, must rely ONLY ON THE PRINTED WORD and cannot use inflection, volume, or gestures to make their point. Here is an example of a sentence that conveys an arrogant tone:
John surveyed his classmates, congratulating himself for snatching the highest grade without studying at all, unlike all the other dolts in the class.
Which words does the writer choose to convey the arrogant tone?

5. Now, choose ONE WORD from the list of tone words you generated back for #3. Do not choose one that conveys “arrogance.” Write one sentence on any topic that conveys the tone you chose without naming the tone word itself.
Write your tone word:______________
Write your sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Now write commentary (analysis and interpretation) for your sentence
Now write commentary (analysis and interpretation) for your sentence. What words did you include that convey the tone you want, and why did you pick these particular ones? What is the connotative meaning of these particular words?
[go back to the arrogant tone sample sentence for an example]

7. Tone Analysis Practice
Read “The Rattler”
How does the man feel about what he does?
What impression does the snake give?
What tone words come to mind to describe the feelings in this piece? (Think of different but complementary tone words)

8. Different but complementary tones
1st tone
duty
obligation
inevitability
acceptance
2nd tone
respect
reluctance
remorse
regret
admiration

9. Writing a thesis statement for style analysis
Identify the tone(s) and the subject(s) towards which the writer is directing that tone WITHOUT REPEATING THE PROMPT
Example: In “The Rattler,” the tones of obligation and remorse reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the snake but his understanding of the necessity to do so.

10. Tone thesis combinations
(two nouns) In “The Rattler,” the tones of obligation and remorse reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the snake but his understanding of the necessity to do so.
(two adjectives) In “The Rattler,” the remorseful and duty-bound tones reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the snake but his understanding of the necessity to do so.
(adjective-noun) In “The Rattler,” the man’s regretful triumph reflects his reluctance to kill the snake but his understanding of the necessity to do so.

11. Thesis + more commentary = introduction
Sample: 1In “The Rattler,” the tones of obligation and remorse reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the snake but his understanding of the necessity to do so. 2Despite his guarded admiration for an opponent and his personal code of honor toward nature, he remains detached from his desire to see the snake go free. 3He acknowledges his duty to others on the ranch but achieves, at best, a regretful triumph with the snake’s demise. (NOTE: Do NOT use any quotations in the intro for your style analysis essay)

12. Tone Analysis Practice
You will now read a passage written by Frederick Douglass. You will practice identifying tones, writing a thesis, and completing an introductory paragraph.
Read and think about the passage.
Make a chart for the two different but complementary tones.
Write the thesis for the passage in which you identify the two different but complementary tones towards his subject.
Add two more sentences of commentary to flesh out the introduction.

13. Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass, a black writer born a slave in Maryland in 1817, escaped to the North in How does he feel about his experiences?
What tone words come to mind to describe this piece (use your tone list if you like, but choose words for which you understand the connotative implications)?
Now create a chart, categorizing the class’ tone words into two groups.

14. Douglass’ two different but complementary tones
1st tone
2nd tone

15. More examples… 1st tone hopeful relieved safe euphoric proud 2nd tone
devastated
anxious
fearful
desperate
disillusioned

16. Turning your brainstorming into a thesis
The (#1) _________________ and (#2) tones in Douglass’ passage reflect his _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

17. Turning your thesis into an introduction
Now add one or two sentences to your introduction—remember the thesis on the last slide is sentence #1– and write those sentences below:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Sample (you may not use these tone words now)
1The elated but distrustful tones in Douglass’ passage reflect his newfound joy but also his fear of capture and his inability to trust as well. 2After being tortured by his white owners, Douglass relished his liberty, but he was constantly cowering in the shadows, knowing that the possibility of enslavement was always present.

19. Homework:
Re-write, in blue or black ink (you may also type it), the introduction you have just written, checking it carefully for correct grammar and spelling. Heads up: I will be collecting these intros at the door AND I will be choosing random samples to put under the projector to discuss as a class. Please be prepared. Remember: Do NOT use any quotations in your introduction for a style analysis essay.