tone

Poetry

Tone ** tone = speaker’s attitude **
 * Tone:**

 the author's attitude toward the subject In literature, the author's style and treatment of the subject reflect his/her attitude about the subject as well as an attitude towards the audience. Components of tone:
 * Understatement: casual or light treatment of the subject, it has two effects:

shows that the author does not take a subject seriously.

calls upon the moral indignation of the reader because the subject does not seem to be taken seriously. Failures in tone
 * Irony: a discrepancy between what is stated and what is suggested; saying one thing and meaning another.
 * Hyperbole: the opposite of understatement; exaggeration used for rhetorical effect: may be dramatic heightening.
 * The middle style: style used by most authors, lying between understatement and hyperbole; presents an accurate picture of things as they are.
 * Sentimentality: author attempts to impose upon the material a greater emotional burden than it can comfortably bear.
 * Inhibition: author's failure to give due emotional weight to his material.

adoring affectionate appreciative approving bemused benevolent blithe calm casual celebratory cheerful comforting comic compassionate complimentary conciliatory confident contented delightful earnest ebullient ecstatic effusive elated empathetic encouraging euphoric excited exhilarated expectant facetious fervent flippant forthright friendly funny gleeful gushy happy || hilarious hopeful humorous interested introspective jovial joyful laudatory light lively mirthful modest nostalgic optimistic passionate placid playful poignant proud reassuring reflective relaxed respectful reverent romantic sanguine scholarly self-assured sentimental serene silly sprightly straightforward sympathetic tender tranquil whimsical wistful worshipful zealous || commanding direct impartial indirect meditative objective questioning speculative unambiguous unconcerned understated || abhorring acerbic ambiguous ambivalent angry annoyed antagonistic anxious apathetic apprehensive belligerent bewildered biting bitter blunt bossy cold conceited condescending confused contemptuous curt cynical demanding depressed derisive derogatory desolate despairing desperate detached diabolic disappointed disliking disrespectful doubtful embarrassed enraged evasive fatalistic fearful forceful foreboding frantic frightened frustrated furious gloomy grave greedy grim harsh haughty holier-than-thou hopeless || hostile impatient incredulous indifferent indignant inflammatory insecure insolent irreverent lethargic melancholy mischievous miserable mocking mournful nervous ominous outraged paranoid pathetic patronizing pedantic pensive pessimistic pretentious psychotic resigned reticent sarcastic sardonic scornful self-deprecating selfish serious severe sinister skeptical sly solemn somber stern stolid stressful strident suspicious tense threatening tragic uncertain uneasy unfriendly unsympathetic upset violent wry ||
 * POSITIVE TONE WORDS || NEUTRAL.. |||| NEGATIVE TONE WORDS ||
 * admiring