How do you determine the tone of a passage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(literature)
To determine the tone of a passage, there are several key factors you can consider. Here's how you can go about it:
1. Read the passage: Start by carefully reading the entire passage to get a sense of the overall message and context.
2. Identify the language used: Pay attention to the specific words and phrases used. Look for any emotional or descriptive language that indicates the author's attitude or feelings. Positive words like "joyful," "excited," or "hopeful" suggest a positive tone, while negative words like "angry," "frustrated," or "mournful" indicate a negative tone.
3. Analyze sentence structure and syntax: Consider the length and complexity of the sentences. Short, straightforward sentences might suggest a direct and assertive tone, while longer, more complex sentences could indicate a more contemplative or nuanced tone.
4. Observe punctuation and emphasis: Look for the use of exclamation points, question marks, ellipses, or italics. These can help emphasize certain emotions and convey tone levels such as excitement, uncertainty, hesitancy, or emphasis.
5. Consider the author's purpose and audience: Think about why the author wrote the passage and who their intended audience is. The tone may differ depending on whether they want to inform, persuade, entertain, or provoke a specific reaction from the readers.
6. Draw conclusions: Based on the observations made from steps 2 to 5, you can now determine the overall tone of the passage. It could be positive, negative, neutral, formal, informal, humorous, ironic, serious, etc.
Remember that tone can sometimes be subjective, so it's essential to consider multiple aspects to get a comprehensive understanding.
It's worth noting that reading and interpreting passages for tone is a skill that can be developed through practice and exposure to a variety of texts.