1 Tone in literature
2 Learning Target I can analyze how rhymes and other repetitions of sounds in a text impact the mood, tone, or meaning that the author wanted to convey.
3 We can convey feelings through facial expressions using words such as: happy, bored, angryWhen looking at these pictures, decide which word describes the image. 1 2 3
4 -it may be playful, angry, disgusted, serious, happy, etc.Tone is the attitude a writer takes toward the subject and/or audience. -it’s not how you or I feel. It is the author’s attitude about his or her subject. -it may be playful, angry, disgusted, serious, happy, etc. Word choice means the words that are used for a purpose. Imagery is the language that appeals to the senses -sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell
5 I do not like any bugs at all.Tone: the attitude a writer takes toward the subject and/or audience it’s not how you or I feel. It is the author’s attitude about his or her subject it may be playful, angry, disgusted, serious, happy, etc. Bugs Bugs, Bugs, Bugs. Stupid bugs, nasty bugs. Slimy, crunchy bugs. Those are just a few. Big bugs, Disgusting bugs. Flying, jumping, buzzing bugs. Annoying, sucking, working bugs. Last of all—best of all— I do not like any bugs at all. What is the author’s tone?
6 Another Day at School Carry books. Go to class.Tone: the attitude a writer takes toward the subject and/or audience it’s not how you or I feel. It is the author’s attitude about his or her subject. -it may be playful, angry, disgusted, serious, happy, etc. Another Day at School School, school another day Carry books. Go to class. Sit and listen. Be quiet all the time. School, school another day. School, school I want to go home. What is the tone of “Another Day at School?” boring b. exciting c. scary
7 knowing how to interpret poems helps us to write better poetry. It is important to be able to interpret tone through word choice in poetry because: if a musician wants to play music when reading a poem, he or she needs to identify the tone so that they know the style of music to play. knowing how to interpret poems helps us to write better poetry. this might be a possible test question: 14 How does the poet achieve her tone? A She sets the poem in a public park. B She describes familiar things in a surprising way. C She uses lines of varying length. D She contrasts the swan with other birds.
8 Steps to interpret tone:1. Read each stanza aloud (or silently to yourself) at least two or three times. 2. Underline (or locate) the word choice and/or imagery that the writer uses to convey tone. 3. Interpret the poem’s tone. 4. Justify your answer with text support.
11 What is the tone of the poem? blissful (joyful) utilitarian (useful) 1. Read each stanza aloud 2. Underline the word choice and/or imagery that the writer uses to convey tone. 3. Interpret the poem’s tone 4. Justify your answer Fall The color of leaves and life has vanished! Green, has vanished! The empire of leaves, lies in ruins! lies in ruins! What is the tone of the poem? blissful (joyful) utilitarian (useful) scary (frightening) bleak (hopeless; joyless) Why? The writer thinks fall is bleak because life has vanished and is in ruins.
12 Closure What is the attitude a writer takes toward the subject and/or audience? TONE What did you learn today about how to interpret tone using word choice and imagery in poetry? Why is that important to you? And now…one final example…
13 Two More Days ‘Til SchoolI'm finally going to school this year, and now the big day's almost here. I'll learn to write and count and read-- Only two more days till school. I got new pants and shirts and socks, a brand-new red and blue lunch box; I'll paint and sing and dance and play-- Only one more day till school. My hair is washed, my sneakers squeak, I can hardly wait; I can hardly speak! New things to do, new friends to meet-- Hooray! It's the first day of school! By Leslie Kimmelman What is the tone of the poem? serene (peaceful) excited (very happy) boring scary Why?
14 REVIEW-Tone in LiteratureTone is the attitude a writer takes toward the subject and/or audience. -it’s not how you or I feel. It is the author’s attitude about his or her subject. -it may be playful, angry, disgusted, serious, happy, etc.
15 Tone Words Activity Directions:Write a (-) next to words with a negative feeling. Write an “N” next to words that are neutral (neither positive nor negative). Write a (+) next to words with a positive feeling.
16 Mood in Literature Textbook pg. 686The overall emotion created by a work of literature. Emotional “atmosphere” Textbook pg. 681 The overall mood or emotion of a work of literature. Adjectives to describe: scary, dreamy, happy, sad, nostalgic Described with adjectives such as: Sad Scary Hopeful Exciting
17 Poem Analysis Activity: Look at the poems on the following pages:402 “As I Gaze Upon My Father” 394-”Gold” 226-”Mama and the Rent Man” Describe the tone and mood, looking for and writing down clues from the text that helped you to describe each of them.
18 Personification-pg. 687 See the word “person”To give human qualities and characteristics to non-human things (animals, clocks, trees, etc.) The wind whistled through the trees. The beeping microwave shouted, “It’s time for dinner!”
19 Examples of PersonificationEach group has a slip with an example on it. Circle the idea, object, animal being personified, and star what they’re doing that makes it an example of personification. Also write underneath what it actually means.
20 Examples of Personification cont.6. The old car groaned as it made its way down the long open road. 7. The wind whispered lonely sounds as it blew through the old creaky windows. 8. The leaves raced to the ground as the children ran across the playground. 9. The pencil moaned as the boy turned the handle on the pencil sharpener. 10. The tornado pranced across the field and wiped away everything in its path
21 Personification in poetryAnalyze the following poems for personification with your Africa partners: “My Town” “Two Sunflowers” “April Rain Song”
22 Denotation Dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning What is the denotation of “cockroach”? You may use a dictionary to help you if needed. noun /ˈkäkˌrōCH/ cockroaches, plural A beetle-like insect with long antennae and legs, feeding by scavenging. Several tropical species have become established worldwide as pests in homes and food service establishments. To you, is a cockroach merely an insect, or is it a disgusting household nuisance?
23 The “hidden” meaning that comes with the word.Connotation The definition a community or culture has “added” to the word’s denotation; the emotions, values, or images associated with a word. The “hidden” meaning that comes with the word. The feeling it gives you when that word is used within the context of the sentence/dialogue/passage/novel. Connotation determines when it is used (denotation may be correct but not fit the context or intended meaning). Shades of meaning cheap vs. inexpensive small vs. microscopic
24 Connotative Example Sally was an enthusiastic member of her sorority. Sally was an active member of her sorority. Sally was a fanatical member of her sorority. All these words are synonyms, but which context gives a positive connotation? A negative connotation? A neutral connotation?
25 What meanings do the following authors have for roachesWhat meanings do the following authors have for roaches? Answer the questions that follow the poems. “Roaches” by Peter Wild from “Nursery Rhymes for the Tenderhearted” by Christopher Morley