1. The speaker or author’s attitude towards a subject in literature
Tone
The speaker or author’s attitude towards a subject in literature

2. To identify and discuss tone, follow these three steps:
STEP 1: Identify the subject of the poem or text. STEP 2: Determine the speaker or poet’s attitude towards the subject and assign tone using an adverb + an adjective. See list. STEP 3: Defend your selected tone using the LIDD method.

3. How to defend your tone choice The LIDD Method
Language
Overall use of language, such as formal, informal, jargon, etc.

4. How to defend your tone choice The LIDD Method
Imagery/figurative language
Vivid appeals to the reader’s understanding through figurative language (imagery, metaphor, simile, etc.).

5. How to defend your tone choice The LIDD Method
Diction
The connotation (figurative meaning) of words

6. How to defend your tone choice The LIDD Method
Details
The facts that are included or those excluded for a purpose

7. Let’s try it! You will determine the tones for:
A piece of art
A song
A poem

9. “Cat’s in the Cradle” Harry Chapin
My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad You know I'm gonna be like you" And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon When you comin' home dad? I don't know when, but we'll get together then son You know we'll have a good time then My son turned ten just the other day He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok" And he walked away but his smile never dimmed And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah You know I'm gonna be like him"