Tone/Attitude of the Speaker
Objective
Big Idea
Tone Awareness
We had a class discussion about the impact of tone upon writing and that tone is the attitude that the author has about a topic. I asked, “If you know that definition, how can we apply tone to speaking?” As a class, we decided that when speaking, tone would be the attitude the speaker portrays to his/her audience.
We then discussed levels of emotion and related it to the energy wheel(Day 1) as we wrote poetry. I reminded them that the energy wheel moved at different speeds projecting various emotions as it slowed or speed up.
Categorize "Tone" Words
I wrote the following words on the board and asked students to record and categorize them with a partner on an “Emotion Chart” created on their own paper.
terrified fearful ghastly frustrated threatening upset unenthusiastic distressed freaked intimidating unified exhilarated alarmed worried anguish delighted thrilled cheerful pressured troubled bossy steadfast devoted perplexed horrified furious evil dedication distraught bewildered radiant spooked irritated annoyed supportive baffled
After partners sorted these tone words, we discussed the reasons for classifying them in a particular order.
Level of Emotion
Next we discussed how emotions can rise and fall and how specific words can be synonyms but indicate a variety of levels of responses. It is necessary to recognize this difference when selecting appropriate synonyms.
Each small group (4 – 5 students) was assigned a column of words from the “Emotion Chart”. They arrange the words from least to greatest emotionally. On the board, we drew a thermometer, so groups could record the words in relationship to degrees. A sample is included on the "Emotion Chart." As a class, we discussed the position of the words and the reasons why the group placed the word in a specific location, the discussion related to “level of emotions”.
