Literary Terms Vocabulary Worksheet Template - Seemayer (Page 31 of 39) in pdf

Literary Terms Vocabulary Worksheet Template - Seemayer Page 31

Tone

There are many tones a writer can take. For example: serious, humorous, romantic, silly, tragic, ironic,

lyrical (melodic and poetic), earnest, sentimental, pompous, mocking, apologetic, and many more.

Directions: Read each excerpt below and identify the tone.

1. "Freedom," John Ruskin

You will send your child, will you, into a room where the table is loaded with sweet wine and fruit-some

poisoned, some not?-you will say to him, "Choose freely, my little child! It is so good for you to have

freedom of choice; it forms your character-your individuality! If you take the wrong cup or the wrong

berry, you will die before the day is over, but you will have acquired the dignity of a free child."

_____ What is Ruskin’s tone in this passage (consider his apparent feelings about young children having

freedom)?

A) sincere/honest

B) sarcastic/mocking C) joyful/rejoicing

2. The Way Things Work, David Macaulay

The kind of nuclear reaction that happens inside a nuclear reactor is

called nuclear fission. The fuel is uranium or plutonium, two very heavy

elements which have many protons and neutrons in their nuclei. Fission

starts when a fast-moving neutron strikes a nucleus. The nucleus cannot

take in the extra neutron, and the whole nucleus breaks apart into two

smaller nuclei.

_____ What is Macaulay’s tone in this passage?

A) uncertain/confused B) scared/apprehensive C) factual/unbiased

3. "Polish War Song," Percival

Freedom calls you! Quick, be ready-

Rouse ye in the name of God,-

Onward, onward, strong and steady,-

Dash to earth the oppressor's rod.

Freedom calls, ye brave!

Rise and spurn the name of slave.

_____ What is the speaker’s tone in this poem? How does the speaker feel about going to war?

A) eager/motivated B) bitter/resentful C) afraid/trepidatious

Literary Terms Vocabulary Worksheet Template - Seemayer Page 31