Reading: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude (Basic)
B1 Lesson 2: Recognizing Obvious Tone
What is the Author's Feeling?
In our last lesson, we identified the author's purpose. Today, we will learn to recognize the author's Tone1. Tone is the author's feeling or attitude2 about the subject. Is the author happy, critical, or neutral?
We understand the tone by looking at the author's word choice3. Positive words create a positive tone, negative words create a negative tone, and factual words create a neutral tone.
Let's Compare the Tone
Here are three paragraphs about the same topic—the central market in Kampot. Notice how the word choice changes the feeling of each paragraph. Listen carefully to how the speaker's voice changes for each one.
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.
Your Turn! What is the Tone?
Practice Quiz
Read the short text and identify the author's 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, contents of the room, opening hours) without using emotional or opinionated words.
Vocabulary Glossary
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Tone (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: សម្លេង
The author's feeling or attitude towards the subject, shown through their specific choice of words. ↩ back to text -
Attitude (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ឥរិយាបថ
A settled way of thinking or feeling about something. ↩ back to text -
Word Choice (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការជ្រើសរើសពាក្យ
The specific vocabulary an author uses to create an effect. Also called 'diction'. ↩ back to text -
Objective / Neutral (adjective)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: អព្យាក្រឹត
Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; presenting only facts. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Write with Tone!
Think about a food you know well (for example, durian, instant noodles, or mangoes).
- Write one sentence about the food with a clearly positive tone. Use positive adjectives.
- 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.