Tone is the narrator’s attitude toward his or her subject. It is like tone of voice in that people use the same words to describe them. For example, one could say that the narrator’s tone is sarcastic if that narrator were mocking the characters. Unlike tone of voice, which listeners may infer from sound, readers can only infer the narrator’s tone from the words. That means that readers have to pay extra close attention.
Being able to perceive the narrator’s tone is a basic reading skill, though it requires critical thinking. The reader must comprehend the text, consider the narrator’s sincerity, and make a judgement. The reader must decide whether the narrator is overreacting, pouting, or just playing around.
Here are some worksheets 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.
Tone Worksheet 1 – This worksheet has four poems, each with a different tone. Students identify the speaker’s tone in each poem and explain their answers using text. This will give students some great practice with tone. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8
Tone Worksheet 1 RTF
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Tone Worksheet 2 – Here is another tone worksheet with four poems and eight problems. Students interpret the speaker’s tone and support their answers with text. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 6-10
Tone Worksheet 2 RTF
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Tone Worksheet 3 – Yet another worksheet to help students master tone. Read the short poems. Interpret the speaker’s tone. Support your answer. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9
Tone Worksheet 3 RTF
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Tone Worksheet 4 – This tone worksheet is a little more challenging than the preceding three. The poems are a bit more challenging, but students still must interpret the speaker’s tone and support their answers. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9
Tone Worksheet 4 RTF
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Tone Worksheet 5 – It takes practice to correctly interpret and describe the speaker’s tone. Here’s another worksheet to give students practice mastering this important skill. This worksheet has four more poems with questions. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9
Tone Worksheet 5 RTF
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Tone Lesson – This is an animated PowerPoint presentation about tone. It gives students definitions, examples, and helpful tips about how to interpret and describe the speaker’s tone. There is a five question practice activity after the lesson.
Tone Lesson | PowerPoint
Common Core State Standards Related to Tone
Expand to 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
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