Tone

Version 2

Definition

• Tone is the feeling one gets when reading a work of literature. Any human emotion may become the author’s tone. Tone sets the mood for the book. Tone is established through description, character portrayal, setting, and dialogue

The tone can be…• serious• dangerous• humorous• patriotic• silly• ironic• happy• sorrowful• energetic • exciting• loving

• defensive• cynical• compassionate• pessimistic

• critical• horrifying

• nostalgic• hopeful• joyful• remorseful• disgusted• angry

►How is tone established in movies?

• music• pacing• lighting• scenery• dialogue• action• characters

Tone can also be established in word choice and sentence structure.

From Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

There's a hole in the world like a great black pitand the vermin of the world inhabit it

•and its morals aren't worth what a pig could spit

and it goes by the name of London.•

At the top of the hole sit a privileged fewmaking mock of the vermin in the lower zoo

turning beauty to filth and greed...•

I too have sailed the world and seen its wonders,for the cruelty of men is as wondrous as Peru,

•but there's no place like London!

Create this chart with your group on your anchor chart paper

Movie Clip The tone is… Evidence:

1. TNBC Clip 1

2. TNBC Clip 2

3. TNBC Clip 3

4. DBZK Opening

5. AYAD Opening

6. GoW Opening

6. God of War Clip• Pretend you are this character, Kratos.

• Describe how you feel inside.

• Describe how the weather around you feels.

• Describe what you are thinking.

• Describe what you look like.

• Describe what the setting around you looks like.

►How is tone established in stories?• adjectives• setting• dialogue• action• adverbs• foreshadowing• style• plot• verbs

To Summarize

• TONE creates a mood to help you get into the story, whether a TV show or a novel.

• TONE is the feeling you get when reading a story. It can be any human emotion.

• The TONE of a story is similar to someone’s TONE of voice.