Q&A for How to Analyze Tone in Literature

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How do you better understand the tone of a story?

Tristen Bonacci
Licensed English Teacher
Tristen Bonacci is a Licensed English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix.

Tristen Bonacci

Licensed English Teacher

Expert Answer

Try rewriting a certain sentence or passage in a different way. Take Lady Macbeth's classic guilt scene, for instance—you could try rewriting it from the perspective of a 16-year-old gang member, or a 10-year-old who pushed his brother off the bike. How would this feeling look for these different people, and does the tone stay the same when you rewrite these things?

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Question

How do I prove the tone at length once I've identified it?

Community Answer

Give examples from the text and, if possible, explain how it can impact the readers.

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Question

What does the "author's usage of words" refer to?

Community Answer

The length of the words, the amount of description, whether or not they drop words, the informality or formality of their words, whether or not they use slang or dialect. Also the kinds of words they use - whether they describe things using neutral words, or positive, negative, angry words, etc., and anything else you notice that you feel contributes to the tone.

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Question

How can I identify and describe the mood of a story?

Community Answer

Try analyzing the words that the characters use to find the mood.

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How can I determine the tone of an article I am reading in class?

Community Answer

Look at the author's word choice (diction) and think about the connotation of those words. Is it a positive or a negative connotation? How does the author sound in their writing?

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Question

Can a tone be questioning?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes. That's an excellent example of a tone.

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