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TEN STEPS to IMPROVING COLLEGE READING SKILLS SIXTH EDITION © 2014 Townsend Press John Langan

8 Purpose and Tone

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone There is an author—a person with thoughts, feelings, and opinions—behind everything you read. the purpose Authors write from a personal point of view. That point of view is reflected in its tone and

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone There is an author—a person with thoughts, feelings, and opinions—behind everything you read. the purpose of a piece of writing—to inform, to persuade, or to entertain— Authors write from a personal point of view. That point of view is reflected in its tone— and

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone There is an author—a person with thoughts, feelings, and opinions—behind everything you read. the purpose of a piece of writing—to inform, to persuade, or to entertain— Authors write from a personal point of view. That point of view is reflected in its tone—the expression of attitude and feeling. and

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone REAL LIFE ADVENTURES © 2006 GarLanco. Reprinted with permission of UNIVERSAL UCLICK. All rights reserved. The purpose of this cartoon, like all cartoons, is to entertain.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose The author’s reason for writing the purpose of a selection is called

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose Here are three common purposes in writing: To inform To persuade To entertain —to give information about a subject. —to convince the reader to agree with the author’s point of view on a subject. —to amuse and delight; to appeal to the reader’s senses and imagination.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose Often, the cover and the title of a book or article will suggest the author’s main purpose.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain Primary purpose: What would you say is the primary purpose of each of these books? A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain Primary purpose: A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain Primary purpose:

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain Read this paragraph and decide what the author’s purpose is. Primary purpose: Each Saturday morning, TV commercials advertise fast foods and high-calorie cereals directly to children. These ads teach children unhealthy eating habits and have been linked to childhood obesity. Parents must realize how harmful such commercials are and should pressure companies to stop marketing unhealthy products to children.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain What is the author’s purpose in this paragraph? Primary purpose: About 113 billion people have lived and died in the history of our planet, according to scientific estimates. Of all these people, the names of about 7 billion, or approximately 6 percent, are recorded in some way—on monuments or in books, manuscripts, and public records. The other 106 billion people are gone without a trace.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A. to inform B. to persuade C. to entertain What is the author’s purpose in this paragraph? Primary purpose: Because of the war between his medium-size shirts and pants and his extra- large-size body, my brother has made a commitment to only three meals a day. His definition of a meal, however, is as broad as his belly. If we spot a pretzel salesman or a hot-dog stand on our way to a restaurant, for example, he is not beyond suggesting that we stop. “It’ll make a good appetizer,” he says.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A Note about Writing with More Than One Purpose Sometimes, writing may blend two or even three purposes.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose A Note about Writing with More Than One Purpose Entertain Inform Persuade For example, an author might write an informative article about losing weight. But it could include some comic touches. And it might even include some implied persuasion. But remember to focus on the author’s primary purpose.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose Complete Practice 1 and 2, p

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone a writer’s attitude toward his or her subject Tone is

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone Tone is expressed through the words and details the writer selects. A writer’s voice can project one or more tones, or feelings, such as

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone Anger Respect Anger

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone “I just shot my husband five times in the chest with this.357 Magnum.” Three examples of tone: Statements made by a person confessing to murder. (Tone: matter-of-fact, objective) (Tone: shocked, disbelieving) “That dirty rat. He’s had it coming for years. I’m glad I finally had the nerve to do it.” (Tone: revengeful, self-satisfied) “How could I ever have killed him? I just can’t believe I did that!”

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose Complete Practice 3, p. 325

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone ashamed doubtful praising worried playful disapproving respectful accepting conceited forgiving fearful cheerful loving joyous affectionate scornful ambivalent ironic instructive lighthearted objective informal scheming bewildered forgiving indignant arrogant impassioned bitter caring serious alarmed curious regretful sympathetic critical grateful encouraging threatening warm insulting humorous calming concerned amused compassionate sarcastic superior matter-of-fact reverent tolerant straightforward prideful despairing optimistic solemn hypocritical disbelieving sentimental appreciative For a list of more than eighty tone words see pages 326–327 in the textbook. admiring self-critical excited defensive tragic apologetic frightened approving self-pitying sorrowful alarmed cruel determined nostalgic suggestive

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone This place may be shabby, but since both of my children were born while we lived here, it has a special place in my heart. A. encouraging B. sentimental C. determined What is tone in this statement?

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone What is tone in this statement? A. encouraging B. sentimental C. determined This isn’t the greatest apartment in the world, but it’s not really that bad. A. accepting B. regretful C. cynical This place may be shabby, but since both of my children were born while we lived here, it has a special place in my heart.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone This place may be shabby, but since both of my children were born while we lived here, it has a special place in my heart. A. encouraging B. sentimental C. determined This isn’t the greatest apartment in the world, but it’s not really that bad. A. accepting B. regretful C. cynical A. cheerful B. bitter C. threatening If only there were some decent jobs out there, I wouldn’t be reduced to living in this miserable dump. What is tone in this statement?

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone A Note on Irony One commonly used tone is irony.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone When writing has an ironic tone, it says one thing but means the opposite. What is said What is meant / A Note on Irony This is known as verbal irony.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony “I feel terrific today.” Verbal Irony For example, if you’re suffering from the flu and someone asks how you feel, and you say: you are using verbal irony.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony “I feel terrific today.” “I feel lousy today.” What is said What is meant Verbal Irony The words you have said are the opposite of what you really mean.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony Here are two more examples of verbal irony: While standing in a long, slow line at a supermarket or bank, you might say to people in line with you, “My, this is exciting.” If a friend arrives at your place two hours late, you might say, “Well, thanks for showing up on time.” Verbal irony is also known as sarcasm. Verbal Irony

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony Irony also refers to situations in which what happens is the opposite of what we might expect. What is expected What actually happens This is known as irony of situation.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony What is expected What actually happens Example: Security cameras installed stolen during a robbery. were Irony of Situation installed to stop crime

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony Irony of Situation Here are two more examples of irony of situation: Albert Einstein, one of the century’s most brilliant scientists, did poorly in school. An instructor at a health club smokes a cigarette during lunch break.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Tone / A Note on Irony Can you explain the irony in this cartoon? GRAND AVENUE © 2002 Steve Breen and Mike Thompson. Reprinted by permission of UNIVERSAL UCLICK for UFS. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone Purpose Complete Practice 4 and 5, p

CHAPTER 8 Purpose and Tone