CHAPTER 7: TONE, POINT OF
VIEW, AND ALLUSIONS
CHAPTER 7: TONE, POINT OF
VIEW, AND ALLUSIONS
In Chapter 7 several elements you have studied
thus far come together. In this second chapter
dealing with the importance of language, you will
enhance and deepen your understanding of what
you read by studying some rather sophisticated
elements.
Objectives:
Points
of view
Tone
Allusions
Special
effects
CHAPTER 7: TONE, POINT OF
VIEW, AND ALLUSIONS
POINT OF VIEW

The writer’s attitude toward or position on a
subject—his or her stance.
Topic
Point of view
purpose
Tone
Mode of discourse
Diction (word choice)
GO TO PRACTICE EX. 1 ON P. 240
Read this paragraph by Harvard biologist Edwin O.
Wilson, in which he discusses the Incas’ contributions
to the world’s food supply. (Wilson is the author
of “The Power of Story,” which was a practice exercise
in Chapter 6.) As you read it, circle the connotative
words. Now fill in the missing elements inthe circle.
GO TO PRACTICE EX. 1 ON P. 240
From the mostly unwritten archives of native peoples has come a
wealth of information about wild and semicultivated crops. It is a
remarkable fact that with a single exception, the macadamia nut of
Australia, every one of the fruits and nuts used in western countries
was grown first by indigenous peoples. The Incas were arguably the
all-time champions in creating a reservoir of diverse crops. Without the
benefit of wheels, money, iron, or written script, these Andean people
evolved a sophisticated agriculture based on almost as many plant
species as used by all the farmers of Europe and Asia combined. Their
abounding crops, tilled on the cool upland slopes and plateaus, proved
especially suited for temperate climates. From the Incas have come
lima beans, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. But many other species
and strains, including a hundred varieties of potatoes, are still confined
to the Andes. The Spanish conquerors learned to use a few of the
potatoes, but they missed many other representatives of a vast array of
cultivated tuberous vegetables, including some that are more
productive and savory than the favored crops. The names are likely to
GO TO PRACTICE EX. 1 ON P. 240
be unfamiliar: achira, ahipa, arracacha, maca, mashua, mauka, oca,
ulloco, and yacon. One, maca, is on the verge of extinction, limited to 10
hectares in the highest plateau region of Peru and Bolivia. Its swollen
roots, resembling brown radishes and rich in sugar and starch, have a
sweet, tangy flavor and are considered a delicacy by the handful of
people still privileged to consume them.
Edwin O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life
GO TO PRACTICE EX. 1 ON P. 240
From the mostly unwritten archives of native peoples has come a
wealth of information about wild and semicultivated crops. It is a
remarkable fact that with a single exception, the macadamia nut of
Australia, every one of the fruits and nuts used in western countries
was grown first by indigenous peoples. The Incas were arguably the
all-time champions in creating a reservoir of diverse crops. Without the
benefit of wheels, money, iron, or written script, these Andean people
evolved a sophisticated agriculture based on almost as many plant
species as used by all the farmers of Europe and Asia combined. Their
abounding crops, tilled on the cool upland slopes and plateaus, proved
especially suited for temperate climates. From the Incas have come
lima beans, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. But many other species
and strains, including a hundred varieties of potatoes, are still confined
to the Andes. The Spanish conquerors learned to use a few of the
potatoes, but they missed many other representatives of a vast array of
cultivated tuberous vegetables, including some that are more
productive and savory than the favored crops. The names are likely to
GO TO PRACTICE EX. 1 ON P. 240
be unfamiliar: achira, ahipa, arracacha, maca, mashua, mauka, oca,
ulloco, and yacon. One, maca, is on the verge of extinction, limited to 10
hectares in the highest plateau region of Peru and Bolivia. Its swollen
roots, resembling brown radishes and rich in sugar and starch, have a
sweet, tangy flavor and are considered a delicacy by the handful of
people still privileged to consume them.
Edwin O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
the feeling, mood, or emotional quality of a piece
of writing—hard to detect on paper or easily
understood if not clearly “seen.”
the reader must infer the tone from the writer’s
words and their connotative values, from the
details included, from the rhythms and cadences
of the sentence structure, and from the writer’s
attitude toward the subject.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Common varieties of tone
informative, impartial, instructive
approving, admiring, laudatory
sincere, honest, candid
serious, somber, grave
philosophical, reflective, pensive
eager, fervent, passionate, zealous
questioning, skeptical, cynical
amusing, funny, humorous
sorrowful, mournful, lamenting
nostalgic, wistful, melancholy
harsh
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Tone in textbooks
written in objective and impartial tone
to convey factual information
Tone in Fiction
dependent on the characters and their relation to
the environment they live in and to the other
characters
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Go to p. 243
Read the following questions.
Then, read the passage.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
1. What is the connotation of the word “scalping” and what is its
origin?
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
1. The word is negative; it probably stems from a barbaric
form of torture.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
2. What is McConnell and Brue’s point of view toward scalping?
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
2. They have no objections to the practice.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
3. In the second paragraph, why do the authors put quotation
marks around “ripping off” and “exorbitant”?
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
3. These words describe scalping in a negative way, but the
quotation marks tell us that the writers don’t share this opinion.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
4. Locate and identify the two primary reasons that the writers
think that scalping has been given a bum rap.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
4. The transaction is voluntary; both parties benefit.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
5. How would you describe the tone of the passage?
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Now answer these questions:
5. informative, but also positive and favorable; economically, the
system makes sense.
TONE IN NONFICTION PROSE
In the next few pages, 244-248, you will read
nonfiction passages, moving from straightforward
prose to more complex examples.
Create the graphic organizer for each passage.
1
TONE IN NONFICTION PROSE
In the next few pages, 244-248, you will read
nonfiction passages, moving from straightforward
prose to more complex examples.
Create the graphic organizer for each passage.
2
A Romantic Entanglement
TONE IN NONFICTION PROSE
In the next few pages, 244-248, you will read
nonfiction passages, moving from straightforward
prose to more complex examples.
Create the graphic organizer for each passage.
3
Skateboarders
TONE IN NONFICTION PROSE
In the next few pages, 244-248, you will read
nonfiction passages, moving from straightforward
prose to more complex examples.
Create the graphic organizer for each passage.
4
Lincoln
TONE IN NONFICTION PROSE
In the next few pages, 244-248, you will read
nonfiction passages, moving from straightforward
prose to more complex examples.
Create the graphic organizer for each passage.
5
Addis Ababa
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Sentimentality
an umbrella word describing a tone that appeals
to one’s tender emotions
genuine or fake depending
on the writer’s motive and
care in writing
effective and/or affective
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Sentimentality
It can appeal to our tender and compassionate instincts and win us
over.
What’s wrong with sentimentality?
A sentimental feeling may become counterfeit and full of clichés
which then becomes offensive or ludicrous.
Writing about daily life can be very difficult.
Read the passage found on p. 249.
AN OVERVIEW OF TONE
Sentimentality
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
Practice Exercise 2, pp. 249-253
TONE AND MOOD IN FICTION
In literature, tone is conveyed not only by the
writer’s manner of expression but also by the
thoughts and actions of the characters, by their
relation to the other characters and to their
environment, by figurative language, and by
descriptions of the world the characters inhabit,
whether natural or artificial.
TONE AND MOOD IN FICTION
Unlike nonfiction, literature conveys mood—the
atmosphere or emotional state that all these things
evoke.
Read the paragraph at the bottom of p. 253-254.
Then, the explanation on p. 254.
Probably all of us can identify with Callie’s feelings about the Charm
Bracelets. All high schools have such groups, the “rulers” of the
school. How would you characterize Callie’s tone in this passage?
She is clearly scornful and resentful of their social standing, their
shallowness, their arrogance, their refusal to study, the fact that they
know that they don’t need to study. Even at a young age, she is aware
of her own role in life—her need to write, to accomplish something.
So we might say that her tone toward the end of the passage is one of
resignation to her fate. The tone is complicated and not easily
reduced to a single feeling.
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
A. How would you describe the mood of this
excerpt? What is the minister feeling?
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
A. How would you describe the mood of this
excerpt? What is the minister feeling?
The mood is serene and cheerful. The scene elates
him; the simple pleasure of watching his family
delights him.
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
B. Explain what Amir is feeling as he surveys the
landscape of his native Afghanistan and ponders
his family.
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
B. Explain what Amir is feeling as he surveys the
landscape of his native Afghanistan and ponders
his family.
Amir’s thoughts suggest a welter of emotions—
pride, a sense of family history and his place in it, a
sense of reverence for his native land.
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
C.
Describe the prevailing mood the narrator’s
thoughts evoke.
GO TO PRACTICE EXERCISE 3
Answer the questions of each passage.
C.
Describe the prevailing mood the narrator’s
thoughts evoke.
The lure of freedom, represented by the endless
horizon of the lovely plains, is matched by a feeling
of restless optimism. Everything is possible in the
West.
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Tones that are cultural, social, and
political create increased cynicism,
uncertainty, and skepticism about
the American dream and about the
country’s role in the world political
arena..
Witty, playful, droll
Ironic, tongue-in-cheek
Sarcastic, scornful, sardonic
Pessimistic, cynical
Mocking, satirical
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Witty
See p. 257-258
Writer’s mental keenness and sense of
playfulness and an ability to recognize the comic
elements of a situation or condition.
It is not sarcasm which has a mean streak.
It is humorous, brief, clever in its use of words,
and pointedly perceptive in describing human
frailty and folly.
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Irony
Used when the writer actually means the
opposite of what he/she actually means.
It is an unexpected contrast which results in a
heightening of intensity about the real subject.
It can be used to poke fun at human
weaknesses and inconsistencies, or more
seriously, to criticize, to encourage reform, or to
cast doubt on someone’s motives.
IRONY
Irony often is present in
cartoons. What is the
irony underlying the
situation?
IRONY
The Grim Reaper, the
traditional personification
of death, has a
complicated set of locks in
his presumably urban
apartment. We wouldn’t
expect the Grim Reaper to
be afraid of crime.
IRONY
IRONY
Go to p. 259
Read the passage on p. 260.
IRONY
Go to p. 259
Read the passage on p. 260.
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Sarcasm
A form of wit intended to taunt, wound, or
subject another to ridicule or contempt.
irony
Writer deliberately says
the opposite of what is
intented.
Sarcasm
May involve irony
Sneering at
Mocking the target
Consider the writer’s intent.
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Modern
attitude
Cynicism
Distrusting or disparaging the motives or
sincerity of others
Sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or
pessimistic
A cynic detects falseness in others and
recognizes impure motives.
It may or may not involve irony.
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Irony
Sarcasm
cynicism
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Satire
A type of writing that seeks to expose folly or
wickedness, to hold human behavior up to
ridicule, and to show the reader that certain
actions or behavior would be more desirable.
Distrusting or disparaging the motives or
sincerity of others
Sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or
pessimistic
TONE CONTINUED: MORE DIFFICULT
VARIETIES
Satire
Read pp. 262-263
Practice Exercise 4
Read the following passages. Then, keeping in
mind the writer’s purpose and intent, decide which
of the following tones is most accurately reflected
in each excerpt: witty, ironic, sarcastic, cynical,
satirical.
Practice Exercise 4
Read the following passages. Then, keeping in
mind the writer’s purpose and intent, decide which
of the following tones is most accurately reflected
in each excerpt: witty, ironic, sarcastic, cynical,
satirical.
A. From Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright: “Bigamy is
having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”
The tone of this definition is
Practice Exercise 4
Read the following passages. Then, keeping in
mind the writer’s purpose and intent, decide which
of the following tones is most accurately reflected
in each excerpt: witty, ironic, sarcastic, cynical,
satirical.
A. From Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright: “Bigamy is
having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”
The tone of this definition is witty.
Practice Exercise 4
B. Ilka Chase was a famous actress in the movies
and on stage in the1930s and 1940s. When she
published her 1942 autobiography, Past Imperfect ,
she encountered an actor at a party. (Legend has it
that the actor was Humphrey Bogart.) When the
actor congratulated Chase, he said, “I thought your
book was wonderful. I can’t tell you how much I
enjoyed it. By the way, who wrote it for you?”
Chase responded, “I’m so glad you like it. By the
way, who read it to you?” The tone of this selection
is
Practice Exercise 4
B. Ilka Chase was a famous actress in the movies
and on stage in the1930s and 1940s. When she
published her 1942 autobiography, Past Imperfect ,
she encountered an actor at a party. (Legend has it
that the actor was Humphrey Bogart.) When the
actor congratulated Chase, he said, “I thought your
book was wonderful. I can’t tell you how much I
enjoyed it. By the way, who wrote it for you?”
Chase responded, “I’m so glad you like it. By the
way, who read it to you?” The tone of this selection
is sarcastic.
Practice Exercise 4
C. From a review of Bolt of Fate by Tom Tucker, a
biography of Benjamin Franklin: “. . . a new book
argues that the legend on which Franklin’s
reputation rests is dubious. There was no kite, no
key, no bolt, no knuckle, no charge. He let people
believe he had been places he never went, done
things he never did, and seen things that never
happened. No wonder he’s been called the father of
American journalism.” (Adam Gopnik, “American
Electric: Did Franklin Fly the Kite?” The New
Yorker ) The tone of this excerpt is
Practice Exercise 4
C. From a review of Bolt of Fate by Tom Tucker, a
biography of Benjamin Franklin: “. . . a new book
argues that the legend on which Franklin’s
reputation rests is dubious. There was no kite, no
key, no bolt, no knuckle, no charge. He let people
believe he had been places he never went, done
things he never did, and seen things that never
happened. No wonder he’s been called the father of
American journalism.” (Adam Gopnik, “American
Electric: Did Franklin Fly the Kite?” The New
Yorker ) The tone of this excerpt is cynical.
Practice Exercise 4
D. This letter to the editor is in response to a
proposal that creationism be taught in the public
schools alongside evolution, which creationists
contend is only a theory.
Editor—As a public school teacher, I heartily
support the teaching of creationism over evolution.
Creationism is easy to teach and can help with
classroom discipline. (“Behave or you’ll turn into a
pillar of salt.”)
The savings in textbooks would be tremendous. At
an average cost of more than $80 a piece, school
textbooks are prohibitively expensive. Bibles are
not only much cheaper but are usually given
Practice Exercise 4
D. continued
away by evangelical groups.
The greatest advantage would be that textbooks
would be available in every hotel room in America.
Incidentally, I teach math (pass the cubits, please)
...
Jim Thurber
Mountain View, California
San Francisco Chronicle , December 1, 2004
The tone of this letter is
Practice Exercise 4
D. continued
away by evangelical groups.
The greatest advantage would be that textbooks
would be available in every hotel room in America.
Incidentally, I teach math (pass the cubits, please)
...
Jim Thurber
Mountain View, California
San Francisco Chronicle , December 1, 2004
The tone of this letter is satirical.
Practice Exercise 4
E. “The Kim Basinger movie I Dreamed of Africa
bombed at the box office last weekend. It wasn’t
supposed to be that way. It was originally expected
to bomb way back in September.” (Tom King,
“Waiting for Their Closeups,” The Wall Street
Journal , May 12, 2000)
The tone of this selection is
Practice Exercise 4
E. “The Kim Basinger movie I Dreamed of Africa
bombed at the box office last weekend. It wasn’t
supposed to be that way. It was originally expected
to bomb way back in September.” (Tom King,
“Waiting for Their Closeups,” The Wall Street
Journal , May 12, 2000)
The tone of this selection is ironic (movie makers
don’t expect their movies to bomb)
Practice Exercise 4
F. “If Superman were real, here’s how the Iraq war
could have been avoided: At the request of the
U.N., the Man of Steel rockets to Iraq, scans for
weapons of mass destruction with his X-ray vision
and, upon finding some, flings them into the sun.
Instant disarmament.” (Jeff Jensen, “Cape Cowed,”
Entertainment Weekly )
The tone of this passage is
Practice Exercise 4
F. “If Superman were real, here’s how the Iraq war
could have been avoided: At the request of the
U.N., the Man of Steel rockets to Iraq, scans for
weapons of mass destruction with his X-ray vision
and, upon finding some, flings them into the sun.
Instant disarmament.” (Jeff Jensen, “Cape Cowed,”
Entertainment Weekly )
The tone of this passage is cynical.
Practice Exercise 4
G. This excerpt is a made-up excerpt from a letter
sent to a potential credit card customer:
Dear Occupant:
You’ve been pre-approved! What does that mean?
Let us tell you. Just the other day, we were sitting
around asking ourselves, “Where are we going to
find exactly the kind of person we need?” This was
a hard question, because our standards and
specifications are stringent. We spent weeks asking
ourselves this question. We got sick of looking at
one another because we were meeting so often with
the same people and asking the same question over
Practice Exercise 4
G. continued
and over. One of us started to ridicule another one
of us for his slight Midwestern “twang.” Another
one of us broke down sobbing. It was a trying
period. There didn’t make it.
But, finally, after countless cups of coffee and
cigarettes and frantic phone calls and consultations
and trips to the bathroom and looking things up in
the dictionary and the thesaurus and just throwing
our hands up in despair, we came up with
somebody. And that somebody just happened to be
someone you know—you!
Frank Gannon, “Pre-Approved for Platinum,” The New Yorker
Practice Exercise 4
G. Is this passage an example of wit, irony,
sarcasm, cynicism, or satire?
Practice Exercise 4
G. Is this passage an example of wit, irony,
sarcasm, cynicism, or satire? satire
Allusion
A pointed and meaningful reference
to something outside the text,
which helps illuminate the subject.
 The
Bible or other religious texts
 History
 Literature
 Greek, Roman, or other mythology
 Popular culture, including movies,
songs, works of art, fashion, the
media, etc.
Allusion
A master reader may read allusion.
The common reader will have
difficulty.
If you can’t grasp the connection
between the allusion and the subject,
it is impossible to understand the
allusion.
Go to pp. 266-267.
Special Stylistic Effects
Special Effects
Understatement
Hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration)
Alliteration
Repetition for effect
Unusual sentence structure
Special Effects
Understatement
Hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration)
Alliteration
Repetition for effect
Unusual sentence structure
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Repetition
for effect
Attention getter
 Unusual
sentence structure
Attention getter by having incomplete
sentences (fragments) and repetition
 Alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in
words—more often associated with poetry