Style Analysis: TONE
AP Language & Composition
Essays on the AP Exam
(1)
(2)
(3)
Argumentation  understanding a claim
and then taking and defending a
position
Analysis  breaking down parts of the
whole to understand the writer’s
purpose
Synthesis  taking and defending a
position on a topic supported by the
skillful integration of at least 3 out of 5+
sources provided
Part I: TONE
1.
2.
3.
What does the word tone mean?
(Define it in your own words, look it
up in the dictionary, or ask a
classmate.) Write your definition.
What does the phrase tone of voice
mean? Write your definition.
List ten words that could describe a
person’s tone of voice.
4.
Authors convey feeling in writing the same
way that people convey feeling through tone
of voice. Writers, though, must rely ONLY
ON THE PRINTED WORD and cannot use
inflection, volume, or gestures to make their
point. Here is an example of a sentence that
conveys an arrogant tone:
John surveyed his classmates, congratulating
himself for snatching the highest grade
without studying at all, unlike all the other
dolts in the class.
Which words does the writer choose to
convey the arrogant tone?
5.
Now, choose ONE WORD from the list of
tone words you generated back for #3.
Do not choose one that conveys
“arrogance.” Write one sentence on any
topic that conveys the tone you chose
without naming the tone word itself.
Write your tone word:______________
Write your sentence:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
6.
Now write commentary (analysis and
interpretation) for your sentence.
What words did you include that
convey the tone you want, and why
did you pick these particular ones?
What is the connotative meaning of
these particular words?
[go back to the arrogant tone sample
sentence for an example]
Tone Analysis Practice

a.
b.
c.
Read “The Rattler”
How does the man feel about what
he does?
What impression does the snake
give?
What tone words come to mind to
describe the feelings in this piece?
(Think of different but
complementary tone words)
Different but
complementary tones
1st tone




duty
obligation
inevitability
acceptance
2nd tone





respect
reluctance
remorse
regret
admiration
Writing a thesis statement
for style analysis

Identify the tone(s) and the subject(s)
towards which the writer is directing that
tone WITHOUT REPEATING THE PROMPT
Example: In “The Rattler,” the tones of
obligation and remorse reflect the man’s
reluctance to kill the snake but his
understanding of the necessity to do so.
Tone thesis combinations
(two nouns) In “The Rattler,” the tones of obligation
and remorse reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the
snake but his understanding of the necessity to do
so.
(two adjectives) In “The Rattler,” the remorseful and
duty-bound tones reflect the man’s reluctance to kill
the snake but his understanding of the necessity to
do so.
(adjective-noun) In “The Rattler,” the man’s regretful
triumph reflects his reluctance to kill the snake but
his understanding of the necessity to do so.
Thesis + more commentary
= introduction
Sample: 1In “The Rattler,” the tones of obligation and
remorse reflect the man’s reluctance to kill the snake
but his understanding of the necessity to do so.
2Despite his guarded admiration for an opponent and
his personal code of honor toward nature, he remains
detached from his desire to see the snake go free.
3He acknowledges his duty to others on the ranch
but achieves, at best, a regretful triumph with the
snake’s demise. (NOTE: Do NOT use any quotations
in the intro for your style analysis essay)
Tone Analysis Practice
1.
2.
3.
4.
You will now read a passage written by Frederick
Douglass. You will practice identifying tones,
writing a thesis, and completing an introductory
paragraph.
Read and think about the passage.
Make a chart for the two different but
complementary tones.
Write the thesis for the passage in which you
identify the two different but complementary
tones towards his subject.
Add two more sentences of commentary to flesh
out the introduction.
Frederick Douglass
1.
2.
3.
Frederick Douglass, a black writer born a
slave in Maryland in 1817, escaped to the
North in 1838. How does he feel about
his experiences?
What tone words come to mind to
describe this piece (use your tone list if
you like, but choose words for which you
understand the connotative implications)?
Now create a chart, categorizing the class’
tone words into two groups.
Douglass’ two different
but complementary tones
1st tone
2nd tone
More examples…
1st tone





hopeful
relieved
safe
euphoric
proud
2nd tone





devastated
anxious
fearful
desperate
disillusioned
Turning your brainstorming
into a thesis
The (#1) _________________ and (#2)
tones in Douglass’ passage reflect his
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________.
Turning your thesis into
an introduction
Now add one or two sentences to your
introduction—remember the thesis on the last
slide is sentence #1– and write those
sentences below:
_______________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Sample (you may not use
these tone words now)
1The
elated but distrustful tones in
Douglass’ passage reflect his
newfound joy but also his fear of
capture and his inability to trust as
well. 2After being tortured by his
white owners, Douglass relished his
liberty, but he was constantly
cowering in the shadows, knowing
that the possibility of enslavement was
always present.
Homework:
Re-write, in blue or black ink (you may also
type it), the introduction you have just
written, checking it carefully for correct
grammar and spelling. Heads up: I will be
collecting these intros at the door AND I will
be choosing random samples to put under
the projector to discuss as a class. Please
be prepared. Remember: Do NOT use any
quotations in your introduction for a style
analysis essay.