1. Diction & Tone

2. Diction refers to the author’s choice of words. Tone is the attitude or feeling that the writer’s words express.

3. When analyzing diction, consider such questions as: Is the language concrete or abstract? Are the words monosyllabic or polysyllabic? Do the words have interesting connotations? Is the diction formal or colloquial? Is there any change in the level of diction in the passage? What can the reader infer about the speaker or the speaker’s attitude from the word choice?

4. Denotation means the literal, dictionary definition of the word- Connotation means the implied or suggested meaning attached to a word, or the emotional “tag” that goes along with the word.

5. The choice of diction contributes to the tone When discussing tone, consider such questions as: What seems to be the speaker’s attitude in the passage? Is more than one attitude or point of view expressed? Does the passage have a noticeable emotional mood or atmosphere? Can anything in the passage be described as irony?

6. ALWAYS use an adjective when describing diction and tone. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

7. Now --- let’s try it

8. Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. What are the specific words that create the feeling of the sentence? What words did the author use to create the feeling of the sentence?

9. Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. Bouncing – lit – joyous – glow – fiancé - wedding What kind of words are these?

10. Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Cheerful diction contributes to the euphoric tone. Or uplifting diction contributes to the joyful tone.

11. She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. frightening diction contributes to the alarming tone.

12. Bursting through the door, the flustered mother hollered uncontrollably at the innocent teacher who gave her child an F. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. fierce diction contributes to the antagonistic tone.

13. Gently smiling, her mother tenderly tucked the covers up around the child’s neck, and carefully, quietly, left the room, making sure to leave a comforting ray of light shining through the opened door should the child awake. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. loving diction contributes to the serene tone.

14. Remember……………………… What kind of words are there? And how do they make you feel?

15. Abhorrentabruptaccusingaccusatoryadmonitory banteringbitterboringbrashbucoliccalmcautious childishcoarsecoldcolloquialconcerneddespairing desperatedisdainfuldisgustedecstaticeffusive elatedelegiaceloquentembitterederuditeexuberant forebodinggloomyharshhaughtyhopefulhumble indignantinflammatoryirreverentirritatedironic jokingjoyfullightlovingmiserablemelancholic nervousnostalgic optimisticoutragedparanoid passionate patronizingpedantic peacefulpessimisticpitiful pleasantplayfulproudpompouspretentiousquestioning reflectivereminiscentresignedromantic sad sanctimonioussarcastic sardonicscornful sentimental sereneserioussharpshockedsillysolemnsombersoothing snobbishsnootysympathetictaunting turgidvexed vibrantwhimsicalangryanxiousappreciativeapologetic arrogant audaciouscondemning darkcondescending contemptuous dreamymocking moralistic mournful persuasivepiquantcynicalcompassionateconfidant

16. See………… The more words you know to describe passages, the more sophisticated your descriptions will be when you analyze authors’ writing