Decoding Tone: How it shapes meaning in writing—a student’s guide
We all know that tone questions can sometimes feel a bit daunting, right? It’s like trying to piece together a puzzle without all the pieces. Understanding how tone shapes a text and resonates with readers can be a challenge, but don’t worry—help is here!
One effective approach is to focus on specific phrases or word choices that reveal the tone and consider the emotions they evoke.
To illustrate this, let’s dive into some examples from Alasdair McClintock’s article "Should Netball Be Our National Sport?" (an IBDP past paper from Nov23 TZ1) We’ll explore how tone plays a vital role in conveying the writer’s purpose.
And the best part? You can access both the article and a sample essay at the bottom of this blog.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Playful Tone
Evidence: “Cricket is soooo boring!”
Device “soooo”, an exaggeration that makes the sport feel less serious
Tone: playful
Effect: creates a fun atmosphere that invites readers to share in the humor rather than feel defensive about their sports preferences.
Affectionate Tone
Evidence: Netball is “the favorite child of the Aussie family”
Device: “the favorite child”, a metaphor comparing netball to a favorite child
Tone: affectionate
Effect: evokes feelings of pride, implying that netball is an integral part of the national identity.
Conversational Tone
Evidence: “Heck, I love every sport”
Device: informal “Heck” creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
Tone: conversational
Effect: creates a friendly atmosphere that feels relatable, making readers feel as though they are part of a casual conversation rather than a formal argument
Enthusiastic Tone
Evidence: “You should get down to a few games”
Device: "get down to", an informal, energetic connotation
Tone: enthusiastic
Effect: indicates enthusiasm, motivating readers to take action and consider attending netball games as a fun and worthwhile experience
Celebratory
Tone
Evidence: the Diamonds “win a lot of things”
Device: "win a lot" implies that the Diamonds are consistently successful
Tone: celebratory
Effect: fosters pride and joy, suggesting that netball is a sport deserving of support and admiration
As we’ve explored, tone is like a secret ingredient that adds depth to the writer’s message. Getting a handle on tone can really boost your confidence in IB English. It might feel tricky at first, but by paying attention to the words and phrases that convey tone, you’ll start to see how they shape the meaning of a text.
So, the next time you’re faced with a tone question, try to view it as an exciting puzzle to solve rather than a daunting task. With a little practice and curiosity, you’ll find that decoding tone is not only manageable but also a lot of fun!
Don’t forget to check out the sample essay at the bottom of the blog for more insights.
Happy reading and analyzing!
Past Paper (N23 TZ1)
– How does tone help to convey the writer’s purpose?
“Cricket is soooo boring!” “Rugby is a blood sport!” “I’ve no time for Aerial Ping-Pong!” “Soccer is for pansies!” You’ll hear nearly every big Australian sport cop a spray from someone at some stage, but when was the last time you heard a shot fired at the good name of netball?
Well, I think it’s about time someone did.
Joking! I’d never do such a thing. Heck, I love every sport. Except UFC, but I’d prefer those folks punched each other than me, so there’s that at least.
It’s fair to say netball is the favourite child of the Aussie family. The genial, good looking (but not too good looking) younger one, who doesn’t have the hang-ups of its siblings and just wants to go about its business, having a merry old time.
According to a very difficult government website to work out, it is the sixth most popular sport in the country, in terms of participation, in either New South Wales, the whole country, or just children aged from 0-14 years. Smarter people than me can probably work this out very easily, but I did not want to delve further because I got a headache and slightly angry just looking at the page.
But, while the numbers may not fully add up for it to be our national sport, I argue that it holds the dearest spot in our national hearts by default. We all like it. We all smile when we see it. Our national team, the Diamonds, is also very good. They win a lot of things. Which, years gone by, may not have been the biggest deal, but now is like hens’ teeth.
The national netball comp, creatively named ‘Suncorp Super Netball’ will be in full swing during May. You should get down to a few games. You can also watch a few games live on free-to-air. Channel Nine, to be precise. You know, like most major sports.
Source: https://thebeast.com.au/sport/netball-national-sport/#
Sample Essay
In persuasive writing, tone plays a crucial role in shaping the reader's perception and engagement with the text. Alasdair McClintock’s article "Should Netball Be Our National Sport?" exemplifies how an effective tone can promote a sport and encourage audience participation. Through various tones, including playful and affectionate, conversational and enthusiastic, and celebratory, McClintock motivates readers to rally behind a sport that embodies joy and community.
To begin with, humor is a key device McClintock employs to establish a playful tone that captures the reader's attention. He opens with exaggeration in his statement, “Cricket is soooo boring!” The elongated “soooo” amplifies the sentiment, mocking the subjective nature of sports preferences and suggesting that cricket's pace is so slow that it borders on unbearable. Adding to that is the stereotype encapsulated in the phrase “Soccer is for pansies!”, which implies that soccer is associated with weakness by playing on cultural stereotypes about masculinity and toughness in sports. This labeling is intended to provoke laughter by contrasting the perceived toughness of other sports (like rugby or cricket) with soccer, which some might view as less physically demanding. Both statements serve as playful banter that invites readers to take part in a lighthearted critique of traditional sports. By poking fun at popular sports, McClintock creates a sense of camaraderie with readers who might share his views or find humor in the absurdity of such harsh judgments. McClintock’s humorous tone not only entertains but also includes readers in a shared enjoyment of sports, making netball seem like an appealing alternative worth supporting.
Moreover, metaphor enhances the affectionate tone when McClintock describes netball. He refers to netball as “the favorite child of the Aussie family,” suggesting a sense of nostalgia and warmth. This affectionate characterization fosters a connection with readers, encouraging them to view netball as an intrinsic part of Australian culture. Personification is evident in McClintock’s description that netball “just wants to go about its business, having a merry old time,” reflecting a positive portrayal that cultivates a supportive atmosphere, prompting readers to rally behind a sport that embodies joy and community. Additionally, adjectival characterization is used when he describes netball as “genial” and “good looking (but not too good looking),” which infuses the sport with a charming and relatable personality. The use of inclusive language, such as referring to the national team as “our Diamonds,” fosters a sense of shared ownership and pride among readers. By depicting netball as straightforward and unpretentious, McClintock enhances its likability, reinforcing the idea that it is a sport that brings happiness and a sense of belonging to the Australian community.
In addition to humor and affection, McClintock's conversational style effectively engages his audience. The use of informal language is evident in the casual interjection “Heck, I love every sport” and his admission that “smarter people than me can probably work this out very easily,” which create a friendly atmosphere. This relatable tone invites readers to feel comfortable and connected to the writer, enhancing their receptiveness to the message that they should support netball. Furthermore, his use of colloquial expressions, like “You should get down to a few games,” contribute to the informal tone, making the text feel like a dialogue rather than a formal argument. Rhetorical questions, such as “Should Netball be Our National Sport?” encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences with sports, fostering a sense of inclusion in the discussion. By breaking down barriers between the writer and the audience, McClintock effectively engages readers in the conversation about netball, making the sport feel accessible and inviting.
A direct call to action, expressed in an enthusiastic tone, reinforces McClintock’s purpose of encouraging attendance at netball games. He states, “You should get down to a few games,” which creates a sense of urgency and excitement. This imperative phrasing not only motivates readers to take action but also reflects McClintock’s enthusiasm for netball. By providing practical suggestions, such as watching games on free-to-air television, he makes it easier for readers to engage with the sport, emphasizing that attending games is a meaningful way to connect with their culture. McClintock employs several strategies to convey an enthusiastic tone throughout his article. Direct calls to action, such as “You should get down to a few games,” create a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging readers to take immediate action. He uses encouraging language to suggest that attending games is “a fantastic way to engage with our sporting community,” highlighting the positive experiences associated with netball. Additionally, his expressions of joy, describing the atmosphere with phrases like “the lively crowd” and “the thrill of the match,” evoke excitement and invite readers to immerse themselves in the experience. Inclusive suggestions like “Let’s all support our Diamonds!” foster a sense of collective enthusiasm, making readers feel part of a community rallying behind the sport. Finally, by referring to netball as “a beloved sport,” McClintock provides a positive characterization that reflects his passionate endorsement, reinforcing the excitement surrounding netball.
Finally, celebratory language when discussing the national team, the Diamonds, adds credibility and appeal to the article. By stating that they “win a lot of things” and using the metaphor of comparing their victories to “hens’ teeth,” he emphasizes the rarity and value of success. McClintock also employs praising language by referring to the Diamonds as “Australia’s most successful sporting team,” which fosters a sense of national pride among readers. Phrases like “They’ve conquered the world stage” use triumphal language to further celebrate the team’s international success, elevating their status and making them a source of inspiration. Joyful exclamations, such as “What a remarkable achievement!” express excitement about their victories, reinforcing the celebratory tone. This approach inspires pride in netball as a sport worthy of attention and support. By focusing on the achievements of the Diamonds, McClintock reinforces the idea that readers should support a winning team, further motivating them to attend games.
In conclusion, Alasdair McClintock’s article "Should Netball Be Our National Sport?" effectively employs a playful and affectionate tone to promote attendance at netball games. His use of humor and celebratory language successfully fosters a sense of pride in netball, persuading the target audience to see it as a sport worth supporting. However, the article may fall short in its depth of analysis regarding netball’s competitive aspects compared to other sports. While the tone is inviting, a lack of concrete statistics or comparisons could weaken the argument for why netball should be prioritized as a national sport. This analysis underscores the importance of tone in persuasive writing, demonstrating how it shapes the audience's response while highlighting the need for a balanced approach that includes substantial evidence to strengthen persuasive claims.
If you’re interested in learning more about tone, check out this blog on Tone in Literature and Film.
Looking for tone and mood words? Download these free printable PDFs.
Here’s an ultimate list, 319 words for tone!
