Tone
“Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a
subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice
of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject”
Brainstorm…what are some different
types of tones writers and speakers
use?
Tone
“Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a
subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice
of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject”
(http://literarydevices.net/tone/).
“The Onion”
(click for article)
Reflect…
What is the tone of this
article? How do you know?
Tone
“Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a
subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice
of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject”
(http://literarydevices.net/tone/).
“Donald Trump on Changing His Tone”
(click for video)
“Donald Trump on Changing His Tone”
(click for video)
Reflect…
1. The anchor asks, “What does it mean to change to
presidential? What do you think presidential is that you
are not right now?”
• What would it mean for a tone to be presidential?
2. What are some things that have contributed to Trump’s
tone?
Connotation vs. Denotation
Denotation
The dictionary definition of
a word.
Denotations do not shift
over time or space as
connotations often do.
Connotation
A meaning, association, or
emotion suggested by a word,
aside from its dictionary
definition.
Connotations can be positive,
neutral, or negative.
They can shift with current
attitudes in society or pop
culture.
Connotation vs. Denotation
Denotation
Connotation
Connotation vs. Denotation
Based on the context in which it is used, a word can have a
positive or negative connotation.
Some examples:
Word
Positive Connotation
Negative Connotation
Unusual
Extraordinary
Bizarre
Firm
Determined
Stubborn
Eager
Enthusiastic
Impatient
Tone
Brainstorm: What elements of language contribute to tone?
Think about the article and the video and consider how the authors
and speakers create/describe tone.
Think of: DIDLS…
Tone
Element
Definition
Diction
Images
The important and individual words the
author chooses to use
The word pictures created by groups of
words. These images appeal to the senses.
Details
Often confused with images, these are more
precisely facts and are notable not only for
what is included, but also for what is
purposely omitted.
Language
Characteristics of the body of words used;
terms such as: slang, clinical, scholarly, and
jargon denote language.
Sentence Structure
Expressed in its most elemental form, this
notes that short sentences are often
emotional or assertive and that longer
sentences move toward more reasonable or
even scholarly intent.
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is lazy. It never obeys barrettes or
bands. Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He doesn’t need to comb it.
Nenny’s hair is slippery – slides out of your hand. And Kiki, who is
youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little rosettes, like little candy circles, all
curly because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet to put your nose into
when she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe, is the warm smell
of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair
that smells like bread.
Tone
Element
Definition to tone?
Brainstorm:
What elements of language contribute
Diction
Images
The important and individual words the
author chooses to use
The word pictures created by groups of
words. These images appeal to the senses.
Details
Often confused with images, these are more
precisely facts and are notable not only for
what is included, but also for what is
purposely omitted.
Language
Characteristics of the body of words used;
terms such as: slang, clinical, scholarly, and
jargon denote language.
Sentence Structure
Expressed in its most elemental form, this
notes that short sentences are often
emotional or assertive and that longer
sentences move toward more reasonable or
even scholarly intent.
DICTION
The important and individual
words authors choose to use.
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has
different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is
lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands.
Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He
doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is
slippery – slides out of your hand. And
Kiki, who is youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little
rosettes, like little candy circles, all curly
because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet
to put your nose into when she is holding
you, holding you and you feel safe, is the
warm smell of bread before you bake it, is
the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her
skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The
snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that
IMAGES
The word pictures created by
groups of words. These images
appeal to the senses.
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has
different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is
lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands.
Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He
doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is
slippery – slides out of your hand. And
Kiki, who is youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little
rosettes, like little candy circles, all curly
because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet
to put your nose into when she is holding
you, holding you and you feel safe, is the
warm smell of bread before you bake it, is
the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her
skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The
snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that
DETAILS
Often confused with images,
these are more precisely facts
and are notable not only for what
is included, but also for what is
purposely omitted.
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has
different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is
lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands.
Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He
doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is
slippery – slides out of your hand. And
Kiki, who is youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little
rosettes, like little candy circles, all curly
because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet
to put your nose into when she is holding
you, holding you and you feel safe, is the
warm smell of bread before you bake it, is
the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her
skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The
snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that
LANGUAGE
Characteristics of the body of
words used; terms such as: slang,
clinical, scholarly, and jargon
denote language
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has
different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is
lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands.
Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He
doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is
slippery – slides out of your hand. And
Kiki, who is youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little
rosettes, like little candy circles, all curly
because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet
to put your nose into when she is holding
you, holding you and you feel safe, is the
warm smell of bread before you bake it, is
the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her
skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The
snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Short sentences are often
emotional or assertive and that
longer sentences move toward
more reasonable or even
scholarly intent.
“Hairs” by Sandra Cisneros
From The House on Mango Street
Everybody in our family has
different hair. My papa’s hair is like a
broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is
lazy. It never obeys barrettes or bands.
Carolos’s hair is thick and straight. He
doesn’t need to comb it. Nenny’s hair is
slippery – slides out of your hand. And
Kiki, who is youngest, has hair like fir.
But my mother’s hair, like little
rosettes, like little candy circles, all curly
because she pinned it in curls all day, sweet
to put your nose into when she is holding
you, holding you and you feel safe, is the
warm smell of bread before you bake it, is
the smell when she makes room for you on
her side of the bed still warm with her
skin, and you sleep near her, the rain
outside falling and Papa snoring. The
snoring, the rain, and Mama’s hair that
Detail

Includes facts, observations, reasons, examples and
incidents used to develop a subject and impart tone






If I asked you for reasons as to WHY you thought a tone was pessimistic, the examples you
would provide me with would be considered “details”
Specific detail refers to fewer things than general
descriptions, creating a precise mental picture
Bring life and color to description
Focuses the reader’s attention
Brings the reader into the scene
PLEASE NOTE: Details are facts. They can overlap, but are
ultimately different from images in that they don't have a
strong sensory appeal.
What the text says…
(in your own words)
What the text does…
(author’s purpose – consider tone,
connotation, and denotation)