Writer’s Attitude
What is writer’s attitude?
A writer's attitude, also known as their
perspective or tone, refers to their feelings or
opinions about the subject matter they are
writing about. It can be inferred from their word
choices, sentence structure, and the overall
style of their writing. A writer's attitude can be
formal and objective or informal and subjective,
and can also express a wide range of emotions.
How do we analyse the writer’s attitude??
1. Tone and Register:
Is the tone formal, informal, detached, passionate, ironic, self-deprecating, or accusatory?
Does the register (level of formality) shift? If so, why?
Example: A shift from an objective tone to a more emotive or reflective one might suggest a change in the writer’s internal response to the
topic.
2. Lexical Field and Connotation:
What kinds of words are chosen?
Do they belong to a particular semantic field (e.g., war, religion, consumerism)?
What do the connotations of these words reveal about the writer’s stance?
Example: “The machinery of education” vs. “the nurturing environment of schools” shows contrasting attitudes — one cynical, one positive.
How do we analyse the writer’s attitude??
3. Figurative Language and Imagery:
Use of metaphor, simile, symbolism, and irony often betrays the writer’s deeper feelings or criticisms.
Irony, for instance, can mask contempt or disapproval under the surface of politeness.
Example: Describing a failing government office as a “well-oiled machine” drips with sarcasm, suggesting dysfunction rather than
efficiency.
4. Sentence Structure and Rhythm:
Short, clipped sentences may signal urgency, irritation, or tension.
Long, flowing, syntactically complex sentences often suggest reflection, admiration, or subtle critique.
Rhetorical questions and repetition often signal persuasive or emotionally engaged attitudes.
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How do we analyse the writer’s attitude??
5. Narrative Voice and Persona:
In first-person texts, is the narrator reliable or biased?
In third-person texts, does the narrator maintain detachment or align with a particular character’s viewpoint?
The construction of voice reveals psychological and emotional positioning.
6. Implied vs. Explicit Attitude:
Not all attitudes are overt. Skilled writers may use subtle language to suggest ambivalence, irony, or inner conflict.
The absence of strong emotion can itself be meaningful — a clinical, cold description of a tragic event may suggest suppressed grief or
moral detachment.
How do we identify the writer’s viewpoint
and attitude ?
Here are some ways:
The attitude displayed by the writer usually refers to Examples:
emotions, beliefs and values that they bring to the
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice:
table, for us, the readers!
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single
Word choice, tone, imagery, symbolism help us
man in possession of a good fortune, must be in
understand their attitude and take over various want of a wife.”
subject matters.
Writer’s attitude: witty, critical of social norms.
Descriptive phrases, metaphors, similes or even
pauses help us understand this better. Austen’s ironic tone here is mocking the societal
obsession with marriage and wealth. Her attitude is
revealed through irony, word choice and satire.
Here are some ways:
Examples: Examples:
George Orwell’s Animal Farm William Wordsworth’s Lines Composed a Few Miles Above
Tintern Abbey
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal
“The sounding cataract/Haunted me like a passion: the tall
than others..” rock,/The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,/Theor
colours and their forms, were then to me/An appetite; a
Writer’s attitude: cynical, critical of political corruption. feeling and a love…”
Orwell’s paradoxical expression reflects his Writer’s attitude: appreciative, romantic
disappointment in political ideologies that claim equality
Wordsworth’s words reflect the enduring impact of nature’s
but practice oppression. His tone is bitter and ironic. His
beauty on his inner life. His reverent tone and vivid imagery
attitude is revealed through political symbolism. reveal a profound appreciation for nature’s restorative power.
Here are some ways:
Examples: Examples:
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet T.S. Eliot - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons”
“It seems she hangs upon the cheek of light/Like a
rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear..”(Act 1, Scene 5) Writer’s attitude: sense of insignificance, self-doubt
Writer’s attitude: admiration for Juliet’s beauty. . Eliot’s words symbolize the monotony and
smallness of the speaker’s life. The coffee spoon
Shakespeare’s usage of simile reflects romantic represents how prufrock’s life feels measured and
admiration for Juliet’s beauty. The comparison of predictable, marked by trivial routines. The attitude
here is one of disillusionment and existential
Juliet to a jewel emphasizes her preciousness and
longing.
perfection.
How do we frame the writer’s responses for Paper 1?
Examples:
1. “The writer constructs a tone of bitter irony
through…
2. The writer uses lots of words about dirt or
damage to show their dislike for…
3. By choosing negative words about ruin and
mess, the writer shows they’re critical of…
4. At first, the writer sounds calm and distant,
but later they seem to care more, show by…
5. The writer uses a slightly sarcastic tone by…
Let’s analyse some texts?
Text excerpt: :
The streets teemed with life — dogs scavenged in
overflowing bins, children darted barefoot through
the puddles of oil and rain, and vendors shouted
their wares into a sky already dark with smoke.
Analysis
Analysis of writer’s attitude:
The writer adopts a vivid yet critical stance toward
urban life, depicting it as simultaneously energetic
and degraded. The verb “teemed” implies
abundance and movement, yet this liveliness is
juxtaposed with imagery of decay and pollution —
“overflowing bins,” “puddles of oil,” and “sky dark
with smoke.” The writer’s attitude is therefore
ambivalent: fascinated by the city’s vitality, yet
deeply conscious of its environmental and social
costs. The tone borders on disenchanted realism,
suggesting admiration undercut by critique.
Let’s analyse some texts?
Text excerpt: :
The alley lay in shadow, littered with yesterday’s
paper dreams and broken glass promises. The only
sound was the hiss of leaking pipes, whispering
secrets to rats.
Analysis
Analysis of writer’s attitude:
The writer shows a negative attitude toward the
alley. Words like “shadow,” “littered,” “broken” and
“leaking” create a feeling that the place is damaged
and dirty. The phrase “paper dreams and broken
glass promises” suggests lost hopes or failures,
giving the place a sad, even hopeless feeling. The
use of personification — “pipes whispering secrets
to rats” — adds a creepy, quiet tone, showing that
the writer finds the place eerie and abandoned.
Let’s analyse some texts?
Text excerpt: :
Mrs. Langley towered over us, her arms crossed like
iron gates. Her smile was a rare comet — brilliant,
but fleeting. We all lived for that moment of light.
Analysis
Analysis of writer’s attitude:
The writer shows respect and fear for Mrs. Langley.
Saying she “towered” and had arms like “iron gates”
makes her seem strict and powerful. The metaphor
about her smile being a “rare comet” shows that she
didn’t smile often, but when she did, it was special.
The phrase “we all lived for that moment of light”
shows that the students really cared about making
her happy. The writer’s attitude is mixed: afraid of
her, but also admiring her.
Over to you!
