The Nuance of Tone
ACTIVITY
1.11
Learning Target
LEARNING STRATEGIES:
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Note-taking, Graphic
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Groups
Understanding Tone
EC@K<I8KLI<9<@E>89C<KFI<:F>E@Q<K?<tone of a story or poem or essay is an
important skill in understanding the author’s purpose. An author who is trying to
create a comedy skit needs to choose content and language that communicates
humor rather than sadness. Writers purposefully select diction to create an
appropriate tone.
1. What is the connection between tone and diction? Many words have a similar
denotation, but one must learn to distinguish among the connotations of these
words in order to accurately identify meaning and tone. Careful readers and
writers understand nuancesJL9KC<;@==<I<E:<J
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Examples: house, home, abode, estate, shack, mansion, and hut all describe or
denotate a place to live, but each has a different connotation that determines
meaning and tone.
2. Create examples like the one above illustrating ranges of words that have
the same denotation but different connotations. Independently, write your
examples below, and then pair with another student to share your words.
© 2014 College Board. All rights reserved.
3. Use one of the examples you just created to discuss how connotation connects
to tone.
Literary Terms
Tone is a writer’s or
speaker’s attitude toward a
subject.
Diction is a writer’s or
speaker’s choice of words.
Denotation is the
direct meaning of a
word or expression,
as distinguished from
the ideas or meanings
associated with it or
suggested by it.
Connotation is the implied
associations, meanings, or
emotions associated with
a word.
Nuance refers to a subtle
difference or distinction in
meaning.
My Notes
Identifying Nuances in Diction
4. On the following page are some common tone words and their synonyms. Use a
dictionary to determine or clarify each synonym’s precise meaning. After taking
notes on the denotation of each word, number the words to indicate the various
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connotation and level of meaning, give them the same ranking.
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
Synonyms are words with
similar meanings, such as
choose and select.
Antonyms are words with
opposite meanings, such as
dread and excitement.
,E@K× { The Challenge of Heroism 53
ACTIVITY 1.11
The Nuance of Tone
continued
My Notes
Angry: upset, enraged, irritated, sharp, vexed, livid, infuriated, incensed
Happy: mirthful, joyful, jovial, ecstatic, light-hearted, exultant, jubilant, giddy
Sad: poignant, despondent, sentimental, lugubrious, morose, woeful, mournful,
desolate
Honest: sincere, candid, outspoken, forthright, frank, unbiased, blunt
Calm: placid, still, bored, composed, peaceful, tranquil, serene, soothing
Nervous: anxious, apprehensive, hesitant, fretful, agitated, jittery, afraid
Smart: wise, perceptive, quick-witted, clever, sagacious, intellectual, brainy,
bright, sharp
5. Prepare to present your findings to the class. Use the outline below to prepare
for your presentation.
Our group studied words that have the same denotation as
.
The most intense word is
.
One would feel
The least intense word is
One would feel
Our favorite word is
One would feel
, which means
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, which means
@=N?<E
, which means
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[specific situation].
.
[specific situation].
.
[specific situation].
Check Your Understanding
Which words would you use to describe the protagonist of the story you wrote?
Which words would be appropriate to define a hero?
54
SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 8
© 2014 College Board. All rights reserved.
6. While other groups present, listen to comprehend, and take notes. You will be
responsible for applying this vocabulary in future activities.