Reading: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude (Basic): B1 Lesson 2: Recognizing Obvious Tone

Reading: Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude

B1 Lesson 2: Recognizing Obvious Tone

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify if an author's tone is positive, negative, or neutral by analyzing their word choice.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary

These words will help you understand the author's feelings.

Tone

The author's feeling or attitude about a subject.

Attitude

A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.

Word Choice

The specific vocabulary an author uses to create a feeling or effect.

Neutral / Objective

Not influenced by personal feelings; presenting only facts.

Comparing Tone: Same Topic, Different Feelings

Here are three paragraphs about the same topic—the central market in Kampot. Notice how the word choice changes the feeling of each paragraph.

Example 1: A Positive Tone 😊

Clues: Look for positive and exciting adjectives.

The central market in Kampot is a wonderful place to visit. It is a lively hub of activity where friendly vendors sell an amazing variety of goods. You can find everything from delicious fresh fruit to beautiful, handmade crafts. It's a truly vibrant and authentic experience.

Example 2: A Negative Tone 😠

Clues: Look for negative and critical adjectives.

The central market in Kampot can be an overwhelming experience. It is a chaotic and terribly noisy place, packed with crowds of people. Some areas are quite dirty, and the strong smells can be unpleasant. It is often too stressful to enjoy properly.

Example 3: A Neutral / Objective Tone 😐

Clues: Look for factual language with no emotion.

The central market in Kampot is a large, yellow building located in the center of the town. The market is comprised of numerous stalls that sell a range of products, including fresh produce, meat, household goods, and clothing. It is open daily from approximately 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: What is the Tone?

Text 1: "The new riverside walkway is a fantastic addition to the town! The path is wide and clean, perfect for an evening stroll. The new benches are comfortable and offer a stunning view of the sunset over the water. It has truly improved the city."

What is the author's tone? (Positive / Negative / Neutral)

→ Answer: Positive. Words like "fantastic," "perfect," "comfortable," "stunning," and "improved" show a very positive attitude.

Text 2: "The guesthouse was located several kilometers from the town center. The room contained one bed, a fan, and a small bathroom. The front desk was open from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Breakfast was not included with the room rate."

What is the author's tone? (Positive / Negative / Neutral)

→ Answer: Neutral. The text only states facts (location, room contents, hours) without using emotional or opinionated words.

Key Vocabulary Reference

• Tone (Noun) | សម្លេង
  The author's feeling or attitude towards the subject, shown through their specific choice of words.
• Attitude (Noun) | ឥរិយាបថ
  A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.
• Word Choice (Noun) | ការជ្រើសរើសពាក្យ
  The specific vocabulary an author uses to create an effect.
• Objective / Neutral (Adjective) | អព្យាក្រឹត
  Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; presenting only facts.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Write with Tone!

Think about a food you know well (for example, durian, instant noodles, or mangoes).

1. Write one sentence about the food with a clearly positive tone. Use positive adjectives.
2. Write one sentence about the same food with a clearly negative tone. Use negative adjectives.

Example (for 'Pizza'):
- Positive: Pizza is a wonderful meal with delicious cheese and many amazing toppings.
- Negative: Pizza is an unhealthy meal that is often greasy and too salty.