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Tone Terms

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE TYPES OF TONES THAT YOU WILL USE IN YOUR AP ESSAYS.

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Remember…..

  • Tone is created by an author’s word choice (diction), syntax (sentence structure), and imagery.

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Ambivalent

  • From Merriam's: having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something or someone
  • From Warren: Not really giving a ____ about something enough to take a side.

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Bewildered

  • From Merriam’s: deeply or utterly confused or perplexed

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  • From Warren: WTF??

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Apprehensive

  • From Merriam’s: viewing the future with anxiety or alarm :  feeling or showing fear about the future
  • From Warren: OH CRAP…. What is going to happen now????

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Depressed

  • From Merriam’s: low in spirits :  sad; especially :  affected by psychological depression
  • From Warren: I’m sad. So sad. Did I tell you…? I am sad.

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Derisive

  • Merriam’s says: expressing contempt or ridicule
  • From Warren: Mocking, sarcastic, I hate you attitude.

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I apologize… No politics allowed in this class.

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Ebullient

  • From Merriam’s: overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited
  • From Warren: Whoa slow down boy….. Relax…

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Introspective

  • From Merriam’s: reflecting and looking inward : examining of one's own thoughts and feelings
  • From Warren: Hmmmm… What do I really think about that?

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Indignant

  • From Merriam’s: feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy
  • From Warren: Mad… actually pissed off.

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Nostalgic

  • From Merriam’s: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition
  • From Warren: Awww… Remember when we….

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Romantic

  • From Merriam’s: conducive to or characterized by the expression of love
  • From Warren: Yeah, you all know what that means…Love, caring, compassion, and other things.

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Sanguine

  • From Merriam’s: cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident even in bad situations.
  • From Warren: I can do this… I can do this… Look at me… I can do this.

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Whimsical

  • From Merriam’s: Playful or fanciful, especially in a humorous way:
  • From Warren: Playful and fun, colorful and descriptive, but sometimes erratic… you know like an excited woman. Just kidding!

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I am done

  • It is 10 pm and I am going to sleep! I am working way too hard!
  • But I really love my kids so far…

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  • What tone do those two statements project?

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