An Exercise in Analyzing Tone
Using Non-Fiction Prose
Tone - the attitude an author displays. The attitude may be focused toward the subject being
written about or toward the audience.
The key to unlocking tone in a piece of literature is through the following elements: diction,
imagery, details, language, and syntax. These elements are also known as DIDLS.
Diction- the author's choice of words and phrases
Imagery- the mental pictures the author creates, appeals to All 5 Senses
Details- elements the author chooses to be specific about, and, in some cases, the
elements the author chooses not to be specific about
Language- the figurative language used as well as the register of language an author uses
to communicate: the emotional distance between the author and the subject
5 Registers of Language
1.
2.
3.
4.
Frozen – pledge, constitution…the words do not change
Formal - lecture, business….no casual language
Consultative – conversation between 2 or more parties…no slang
Casual – conversation between two or more people …uses
contractions and slang
5. Intimate – Code words shared between small groups i.e. close
friends or family
Syntax - the grammatical structure of individual sentences, and the construction of the
piece as a whole. May also include persuasive appeals and/or syllogism.
A frequently used prompt in the essay section of the AP Language and Composition exam is one
that will ask the students to analyze the author’s attitude (tone) in a given selection.
Students will need to be able to analyze the different elements that characterize attitude(s) in a
selection, and to synthesize those elements into a prevailing tone. The upper level essays will
recognize a complex attitude in a selection. "Complex" in this context means more than one.
Buzzwords to be aware of in the essay prompt are:
literary techniques
define/convey/characterize
elements of style
rhetorical strategies
stylistic elements
rhetorical devices
resources of language
rhetorical techniques
use of language
BOTTOMLINE: ALL of these Buzz Words want you to do the SAME THING…DIDLS!!!
Simply put, what the student is being asked to do is to identify an ABSTRACTION (the attitude)
through the use of CONCRETE elements (DIDLS) diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax.
An effective method for analyzing tone is to keep a dialectical journal of the elements of tone while
the student is reading the selection. The dialectical journal helps the student keep track of those
concrete elements of tone, and provides the opportunity to develop commentary on those elements.
Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise. List the concrete element on the left side of the page. The
student should write one to two sentences of commentary for each concrete element listed directly
opposite the element on the right side of the page. The concrete element is ‘how” an attitude is
characterized. Commentary is “why” that element helps to characterize an attitude.
EXAMPLE:
Evidence
“How is the Attitude is Characterized”,
“Concrete detail”, “Quotation”
“burden” (diction)
Commentary
“Why”,“What is revealed?”,
“What is learned?”
A burden is something that weighs you
down. A thing that you carry with you,
despite the load.
As you read various selections or chapters, keep a dialectical journal with following requirements:
 5 examples of diction
 3 examples of imagery
 3 examples of detail
 3 examples of language
 3 examples of syntax
FYI
Some areas may have the same evidence. This is fine for it shows that the elements are fluid.
Timed Writing #1
"Shame" is by the author and activist Dick Gregory. Read the
selection and then write an essay analyzing the rhetorical
techniques Gregory uses to convey his attitude of shame.
Organization of your 5 paragraph essay
Intro – Prompt
Paragraph #1 - Diction
Paragraph #2 - Imagery
Paragraph #3 - Details, Language, or Syntax
Conclusion- Restate prompt
After the first timed writing is completed, then ask the student the following
questions.
What is the Attitude?
What other feelings did Dick feel?
SHAME
Better writers recognize that emotions and tone is complex in
nature – all the feelings surroundings Gregory’s “Shame” are
abstract elements that you cannot touch.
This time in your second timed writing your essay’s organization
should shift to focus around abstract elements and how the
DIDLS support these abstract emotions.
Write a fully developed four-paragraph essay and create a strong
conclusion that conveys the lesson of the piece… “life lesson” or
“universal truth” of the piece.
TIMED WRITING #2
Read the following selection by author and activist Dick Gregory
carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, discuss how Gregory
uses language to convey his complex attitude toward his subject.
Organization of your 4 paragraph essay
Intro – Prompt…”The feelings of anger and unworthiness aid in forming
Dick Gregory’s complex attitude of Shame.”
Paragraph #1 – Anger is depicted through 3 of the DIDLS to support
Paragraph #2 – Unworthiness is depicted through 3 of the DIDLS to
support
Conclusion- Convey the lessoned learned of the piece