ToneTone is defined as the writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject.

Tone Vocabulary List

Developing a tone vocabulary:

Positive Tone/Attitude Words

Amiable Authoritative CalmCompassionate Consoling Ecstatic EncouragingExcited Friendly Impassioned JubilantOptimistic Playful Relaxed SoothingSympathetic Amused Benevolent CheerfulComplimentary Content Elated EnergeticExuberant Euphoric Jovial LightheartedPassionate Pleasant Reverent SurprisedVibrant Appreciative Brave CheeryConfident Dreamy Elevated EnthusiasticFanciful Hopeful Joyful LovingPeaceful Proud RomanticSweet Whimsical

Negative Tone/Attitude Words

Accusing Condemning InflammatoryUninterested Irritable Hateful Short-

Tempered Irascible AudaciousDisgusted Quarrelsome FuriousApathetic Boring Desperate ObnoxiousAggravated Condescending Insulting WrathfulCoarse Hurtful Threatening BrashHarsh Superficial BelligerentDisinterested Shameful ArrogantDisappointed Outraged AgitatedContradictory Irritated Childish ColdIndignant Tired Facetious HaughtySurly Bitter Passive ArtificialDisgruntled Critical Manipulative

Humor-Irony-Sarcasm-Scorn Tone/Attitude Words

Amused Flippant Pompous TeasingBantering Droll Silly CriticalHumorous Scornful Condescending IrreverentSardonic Caustic Insolent RidiculingGrim Giddy Questioning WhimsicalFacetious Patronizing Taunting CynicalMocking Sharp Contemptuous JokingSatiric Comical Depressing IronicBitter Provocotive Rude - Ribald Wry

Over-Used Tone/Attitude Words (try to find others)

-Happy- -Angry- -Sad- -Serious-Sorrow-Fear-Worry Tone/Attitude Words

Aggravated Serious Paranoid HorrifiedEmbarrassed Apologetic Sombre PoignantMorose Gloomy Confused DespairingResigned Numb Hopeless MelancholyAgitated Sober Pessimistic RegretfulFearful Apprehensive Stiff DisturbedMournful Grave Dejected MiserableOminous Horrific Remorseful AnxiousSolemn Pitiful Foreboding ConcernedWistful Nervous Hollow Depressed

Neutral Tone/Attitude Words

Admonishing Resigned Nostalgic IncredulousDramatic Baffled Pensive PersuasiveIntimate Fervent Clinical UrgentQuestioning Lyrical Detached ObjectiveAllusive Restrained Informative FlatEarnest Callous Shocking PleadingJudgmental Formal Consoling VexedReflective Matter-of-fact Histrionic DidacticApathetic Seductive Obsequious InquisitiveExpectant Candid Sincere PretentiousLearned Forthright Contemplative WistfulReminiscent Meditative Humble DisbelievingAuthoritative Sentimental Patriotic InstructiveFactual Ceremonial Unemotional ProvocativeLoud Frivolous Conventional Zealous

A change or shift in tone will be signalled by the following:

o Key words such as but, yet, nevertheless, however, although o Punctuation such as dashes, periods, colons, semicolons o Stanza and paragraph divisions o Changes in line and stanza or sentence length

VERBS from Tone WordsConsole Amuse Pride Revere ElevateConfide Aggravate Agitate Condescend (to do/to someone)Critique Criticize Manipulate Banter ScornPatronize Provoke Taunt Resign (from/oneself)Mourn Horrify Despair Admonish AlludesBaffle Seduce Objectify Vex

NOUNS from Tone Words ApathyMourn Curse Extol