Tone - is the writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject and the audience. (note: This can shift in a selection.) Syntax - is sentence structure or how the words are “stacked up” next to one another. (how is: “I completely trust you.” different from: “ trust you completely.”?) Diction - is word choice (types of choices: monosyllabic, polysyllabic, colloquial, informal, formal, old-fashioned, denotative, connotative, concrete, abstract, euphonious or cacophonous)TONE WORDS AND DEFINITIONS ee satiric- characterized by the use of irony, sarcasm, or ridicule whimsical- displaying characteristics of playful expression; fanciful dramatic-expressed with or as if with action; vivid learned-of or showing knowledge or learning; well-informed informative- giving information; instructive somber- extremely serious; solemn, grave urgent- expressed with insistence confident- sure of oneself and one’s abilities mock-heroic- imitating that which is heroic; satirizing the heroic style of literature (which is flamboyant or extravagant language sentiment or behavior) Objective- not influenced by personal feelings or prejudice; unbiased diffident- hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence; distrustful ironic: the meaning intended is contrary to that seemingly expressed; to say one thing and mean another didactic- teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson; instructive petty: having or showing narrow ideas, interests, etc. ; narrow-minded factual- relating to or containing facts; restricted to involving fact as opposed to theory or imagination; actual restrained- devoid of excess or extravagance; repressed elegiac- expressing sorrow; moumful disdainful- expressing feelings that someone or something is unworthy of notice; scomful lugubricus- mournful, dismal, or gloomy,, especially in an exaggerated manner pedantic- displaying affection for learning; overemphasizing minute details2 indignant- expressing strong displeasure at something considered offensive or insulting; expressing righteous anger bantering- using an exchange of light, playful remarks flippant frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness condescending- expressing an air of superiority; stooping to a lower level or beneath oneself as a favor patronizing- behaving in a condescending manner facetious- not meant to be taken seriously or literally; amusing; humorous clinical- dispassionately analytic; unemotionally critical mock-si ious- imitating or satirizing that which is serious inflammatory-.tending to arouse anger, hostility, passion, ete. berievolent- characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings burlesque involving ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject fanciful- characterized by or showing fancy; led by fancy rather than by reason or experience detached- impartial or objective; disinterested cynical- distrusting the motives of others; pessimistic incisive- clear and direct allusive- containing or given to passing and casual references to something not fully expressed; symbolical scornful- full of contempt or disdain; to despise effusive- extravagantly or unduly demonstrative; overflowing colloquial- conversational, informal compassionate- expressing deep sorrow or sympathy for someone struck by misfortune, accompanied by a desire to alleviate the suffering; sympatheticimpartial- not partial or biased; fair; just insipid- without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; bland pretentious- characterized by the assumption of importance; making an exaggerated outward show vibrant: pulsating with vigor and and energy; lively irreverent- showing lack of respect sentimental- expressive or appealing to the tender emotions moralistic expresses ideas on the principles of proper conduct or on the distinction between right and wrong complimentary- of the nature of, conveying, or expressing a compliment or praise contemptuous- showing or expressing strong dislike; scornful sympathetic- expresses compassion or sympathy; sharing the same feelings as another taunting- reproaching in a scornful manner; mocking; making fun of concerned interested, involved; troubled or anxious angry- expressing anger or strong resentment turgid: inflated; over-blown sardonic- characterized by scornful derision or bitter irony; mocking; cynical contentious- characterized by argument or controversy insolent: rude, disrespectful; insulting candid- frank; out-spoken; sincere; honest; openafraid aggravated aggressive agitated agreeable alarmed amiable angry apathetic apologetic appreciative arrogant artificial audacious baffled banal benevolent bewildered bitter bleak boring calm caustic chaotic chauvinistic cheerful childish coarse complacent concerned confident confused consoling content convincing critical curious cynical dejected depressed desperate determined disappointed disbelief discouraged disgusted disheartened disturbed dominating domineering dreamy ecstatic elated SAMPLE TONE WORDS embarrassed encouraging enthusiastic envious euphoric evil excited explosive exuberant facetious facetious fearful frenetic friendly frightened frivolous furious gentle giddy happy harsh hating haughty hollow humble humorous hurt hypnotic hypocritical impatient impious impotent informative innocent instructive inventive ironic trrational irritated Jealous Joyful laconic lethargic lighthearted lonely loud loving majestic malicious manipulative meek melancholic miserable mystical nervous numb obnoxious obsessive outraged overwhelmed paranoid passionate Passive patronizing Peaceful persuasive perturbed petulant pitiful pleading pleasant presumptuous proud questioning remote revengeful romantic rude sad sarcastic sardonic satiric seductive serious sharp shocked shrewd snooty soothiny stern strong sultry superficial superior surprised sweet sympathetic threatening timid tired uninterested upset vexed vibrant vicious weary wrathful zealous ADD Meet