Tone is the overall feeling created by the writer's words.  Sometimes it helps to imagine how the author would read his or her writing out loud.  What kind of tone would he or she use?  It could be neutral, sarcastic, sad, happy, nostalgic, bitter or some other emotion.

Pay attention to the author's word choices and descriptions to be able to tell the tone of a work.

Practice

Identify the tone in the following passages.

Green Jobs

     Green jobs, which have been defined broadly as jobs that help improve the environment and enhance sustainability, offer opportunities as well as challenges for workers.  Examples of green jobs include manufacture, installation, and maintenance of solar panels and generators; construction and maintenance of wind energy turbines; jobs related to recycling; jobs related to the manufacture of green products; and jobs where green products are used in traditional fields such as agriculture, healthcare, and the service sector.  In some instances, the hazards to workers may be similar to those in established industries.  However, some green and sustainable practices may pose new health concerns for workers.

Which word best describes the author's attitude toward green jobs?

A. enthusiastic

B. cautious

C. doubtful

D. fearful

 

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Note the specific words in the paragraph above that led to your answer.

The Pink Slip

     The day my mother received a pink slip from her company was the first time I remember feeling free. "This is a chance for change," I told her, as she sobbed into a dishtowel.  "You have never liked going to that job, and I'd be more than happy to attend a school that has a decent soccer field.  Let's find a community that values what we can do."

The tone of this passage is one of --

A. elation.

B. shame.

C. optimism.

D. pessimism.

Note the specific words in the paragraph above that led to your answer.

Answer Key

1. B

The topic sentence identifies " opportunities as well as challenges" for green jobs.  The author mentions benefits as well as "hazards" and possible "new health concerns." This balanced approach is best called "cautious."

2. C

The narrator considers positive action, looking at the event as a "chance for change.  She suggests she would be "more than happy." Elated goes too far, however, since the daughter is sympathetic to her mother's tears.  The tone is optimistic.

Sources

2. Original