Author's Tone

The author's tone is the author's attitude toward the subject of the text.

What is author's tone?

1. If possible, identify the author first. If there is no author, move to the next step.

2. Identify the subject or main idea of the text. This should be one sentence describing what the text is about.

3. Describe how the author feels about this main idea based on the author's words.

4. Brainstorm adjectives that effectively capture this description. These are known as tone words.

1. Author: Unknown

2. Main idea: Even though ignorance and manipulation be oppressive, knowledge and collaboration can overcome oppression.

3. ​Describe: Because knowledge, awareness, and collaboration can break cycles of oppression, the author seems hopeful about the future.

4. Tone Words: Positive, optimistic, hopeful

1. Author: Unknown

2. Main Idea: Ignorance and manipulation create oppression and injustice.

3. Description: The author explains the negative effects of ignorance and oppression and warns about their impact on the future.

4. Tone Words: Negative, pessimistic, warning, critical ​

1. Author: Unknown

2. Main idea: Graffiti is common and people have different opinions on its value.

3. ​Describe: The author briefly describes two different perspectives on graffiti but does not obviously support either one.

4. Tone Words: Neutral, objective, indifferent, unconcerned