tone

=Tone= Pronounced: [tohn] media type="file" key="Tone Audio.wav" width="63" height="41"

Similar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read alound can help in identifying an author's tone. Some words describing tone are //playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber,// etc.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" (Lewis Carrol, "The Jabberwocky")
 * Literary Example:**

Even though most of the words are made up, Carrol uses just enough english and just enough nonsense to create an interesting tone. From the terror of the desicription of this monster, to the excitement of its defeat, his writing makes the reader think and come up with their own meanings for words like "vorpal" and "frabjous." What little English terms Carrol actually uses, creates a skeleton for how the poem is supposed to be read. The rest is up to the reader. "Tone." __Your Dictionary__. 27 Sept. 2007 . Carrol, Lewis. "The Jabberwocky." __Jabberwocky__. David Shaw. 27 Sept. 2007 <[|http://www.jabberwocky.com/carroll/jabber/jabberwocky.html>.] "Jabberwocky." __Twain Quotes__. 27 Sept. 2007 .
 * Sources:**

MAronson, Period 4