What is Tone?
Tone refers to the author’s or speaker’s attitude or feelings toward the subject, situation, or
audience in a text.
How to Identify Tone in an Extract or Comprehension:
1.Look at word choice (diction): Are the words positive, negative, sarcastic, serious?
Notice punctuation: Exclamations, questions, or ellipses(....)can show tone shifts.
Understand context and emotion: How does the speaker feel about the topic?
Check for literary devices: Irony, satire, exaggeration, or understatement often indicate tone.
Types of Tone with Definitions and Clues
Optimistic
Shows hope and positivity about the future Words like bright, hopeful, promising,
encouraging
Pessimistic
Shows negativity or a gloomy outlook Words like hopeless, grim, dark, bleak
Sarcastic
Says the opposite of what is meant, mocking in tone Irony, exaggeration, or contradiction
in praise
Humorous
Funny and entertaining tone Wordplay, jokes, puns, light-hearted language.
Serious
Straightforward and solemn tone Formal language, lack of jokes, deep subject matter
Ironic
Contradiction between appearance and reality,Unexpected outcomes or reverse meaning
Sympathetic
Shows care and concern for someone’s problems, Words like unfortunate, feel sorry for,
compassionate.
Nostalgic
Longing for the past Words like remember, past, childhood, emotional memories.
Melancholic
Sad, gloomy tone,Words like loss, regret, sorrow, despair
Critical
pointing out faults,Judging language, should not, wrong, mistake, flawed
Didactic
Instructional or teaching tone Words like must, should, moral lessons, advising tone.
Admiring
Showing respect or praise Words like brilliant, heroic, inspiring, courageous
Neutral/Objective
No clear emotion, just facts Balanced language, lack of emotion
Hopeful
Expecting a positive future Words like will improve, better tomorrow, uplifting
Celebratory
Showing joy or celebration Words like joyous, exciting, achievement, triumph.
Apologetic
Expressing regret or apology Words like sorry, regret, forgive, mistake.
Reflective
Deep thinking, personal insight, Introspective, philosophical tone
Grateful
Thankful tone Words like thank you, appreciate, gratitude
Tips for Board Exams:
Class 10 focuses on basic tones: humorous, serious, sarcastic, optimistic, etc.
Class 11 includes more emotional and literary tones: nostalgic, melancholic, admiring.
Class 12 often tests complex and layered tones: critical, reflective, ironic, didactic.
Practice Identification Example (Class 10/11/12):
Extract:
> “The bright sun rose on a new day. Even though their house was gone, they looked at the
future with hope and determination.”
Tone: Optimistic
Why? – Words like bright, hope, determination show a positive outlook despite hardship.
Extract:
> “Oh, brilliant idea! Let’s ignore the leaking roof and hope the rain doesn’t come.”
Tone: Sarcastic
Why? – The speaker clearly means the opposite of what is said, mocking someone’s decision.
