This page features worksheets and resources that help teach tone. Students are often tested on their ability to interpret a narrator’s tone. They need practice to get it right. Get your practice work here!
What Is Tone?
Tone is the narrator’s attitude toward his or her subject. It is like tone of voice. People describe both types of tone using the same words. For example, if the narrator were mocking the characters, we might say the tone is sarcastic. But unlike tone of voice, which uses sound to help convey feeling, readers can only infer the narrator’s tone from the text. So readers have to pay extra close attention.
Tone Worksheets and Resources
Here are some worksheets and resources to give students practice with identifying tone. Each worksheet has four poems. The speaker in each poem expresses a certain tone. Students must read the poems, determine the speakers’ tones, and explain their answer using text. Though I have included answer keys, please bear in mind that these are suggestions. Student answers will vary.
Common Core State Standards Related to Tone
View All Common Core State Standards Related to ToneCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4 – Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Reading: Literacy
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
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Common Core Lesson and Unit Plans
Understanding Common Core State Standards
Angela Araújo
/ June 21, 2021Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful work!
Laurie Frazier
/ October 17, 2019Really enjoy using this site, and I appreciate the time and dedication you put into the site and the fact that it is absolutely free!! I have recommended it to a good deal of teachers!!
keelahrose
/ October 17, 2018What happened to the other tone worksheets? These used to be short stories, now they’re all poems.
Mr. Morton
/ October 24, 2018These are all the tone worksheets that I’ve ever had. Perhaps I should write some with stories…
Terri
/ December 15, 2020Yes please!!!!
Judith
/ May 9, 2018Love these worksheets to review and reinforce skills in my junior and senior classes. They are excellent for individual and group work. You have provided an amazing resource that saves me lots of time. Your time and effort used to set this up is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mr. Morton
/ June 29, 2018Thank you kindly for saying so. I appreciate you using the site.
Manisha Bakshi
/ January 29, 2018Great Resources. Really useful.
Nadine
/ September 12, 2017Thank you! This sure makes teaching a little easier and I know it will help my students!
Tiffany Wall
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Lili
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alsan divinagracia
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Ma. Fatima M. Solis
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Ms. Garcia
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Irving Echevarria
/ August 31, 2015Excellent site. Very useful for my ESL students. Love it.