Yr11 Skills Lesson

Tone and Register

As you are waiting for the lesson to begin …

In assessing the tone of a piece, it is essential that we have the vocabulary to describe the way

in which texts might be read and …

Using the wordsearch you have been given, try to find ten words which might be used to describe a text. Your aim is to use these

throughout this lesson and, ultimately, in your examination.

Aims and objectives of the lesson …

To explore the terms ‘tone’ and ‘register’

To assess how texts might be read and ‘heard’ in different ways

To understand how tone and register might be applied to Paper one examination practice.

When we listen to music, we easily hear the effect the artist is trying to create. However,

with spoken – and with written word – it becomes a little more difficult.

Watch – and listen - carefully to the video clip of potential American presidential candidates

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton debating key topics. As you are listening, try to answer the

questions above.

•What words can we use to describe the way in which the interviewer speaks? What does this suggest about her role in the proceedings?

•What words can we use to describe the way in which Obama and Clinton respond to the questions? How does their tone change as the debate progresses?

Obama and Clinton debate

Some points that you might make about what you have seen …

The interviewer attempts to keep control of the situation by being forceful and determined in their tone.

The tone of the two potential presidential candidates begins fairly formally and monotone, suggesting control and power.

As the tension increases, the speed of the conversation increases suggesting that they are less in control that at the beginning of the clip.

The volume of each candidate changes as they become more assertive in their opinions.

Throughout the speeches, humour is used randomly to lighten the impact of the argument and establish a more friendly tone … even though they probably despise each other at this point!

It is easy to hear the way in which an individual speaks aloud, however it

becomes more difficult to ascertain their tone in writing …

Read through the following internet article carefully.

What tone would you say this article has been written in?

How does the language that has been used in the article demonstrate the tone?

What effect does this have on the reader?

The cover, featuring 5-week old son Max Liron, has apparently only sold about 1.3 million copies, less than their usual selling amount.Maybe if Christina was married to another celeb, there might have been more interest.The mag paid Aguilera over $1 million for the use of those photos.According to reports, a source said, “She went crazy and had a massive tantrum. It was astonishing. She was absolutely furious and blamed her staff for the way everything had been handled. She decided BWR had to go, then gave her day-to-day manager and one of her assistants their marching orders too.”Jennifer Lopez and hubby Skeletor, though, are expected to receive close to $5 million for photos of them with their newborn twins. Wonder if that $5 million investment will pay off? Or will Jen be firing her people as well?

Christina Aguilera is said to be so fuming about the lack of interest in her recent People magazine cover that she has fired her day-to-day manager, her PR firm (BWR) and an assistant.

The cover, featuring 5-week old son Max Liron, has apparently only sold about 1.3 million copies, less than their usual selling amount.Maybe if Christina was married to another celeb, there might have been more interest.The mag paid Aguilera over $1 million for the use of those photos.According to reports, a source said, “She went crazy and had a massive tantrum. It was astonishing. She was absolutely furious and blamed her staff for the way everything had been handled. She decided BWR had to go, then gave her day-to-day manager and one of her assistants their marching orders too.”Jennifer Lopez and hubby Skeletor, though, are expected to receive close to $5 million for photos of them with their newborn twins. Wonder if that $5 million investment will pay off? Or will Jen be firing her people as well?

Christina Aguilera is said to be so fuming about the lack of interest in her recent People magazine cover that she has fired her day-to-day manager, her PR firm (BWR) and an assistant.

The overwhelming tone of this article – as demonstrated by the quotations in yellow – is one of

derision and sarcasm. This makes us question the purpose of the

reader and suggests that his motives are less informative and more to persuade the reader of

their individual opinion. The effect that is created is less formal

and more conversational.

How does the writer of this piece establish a tone in the very first

paragraph of their text?

‘I’ll tell you this, but you have to promise that it will get no further. Not long after we moved here we had the people next door round for dinner and – I swear this is true – they drove.’

From Why no-one walks by Bill Bryson

Homework – Exam questionRead Item 1, the extract called Why No-One Walks from a book by Bill Bryson.

What methods does Bryson use to entertain the reader?

Top Tip: In answering the question, try to establish the tone of the article and work out the methods by which – how - Bill Bryson creates the tone of the text.

And to finish the lesson …Think carefully about what you have learned about the way in which language and devices

are used to create tone. Read through the following extract carefully, which has been

written in a relatively formal and informative tone. Your aim is to change the language and devices to change the tone … and therefore

change the effect.

A first trophy of the millennium for Tottenham and a first success for Juande Ramos in English football. But just as important for the future of the club is that the paradigm of underachievement has been broken.

The script had seemed to be written. The Jol years at Tottenham were littered with games against members of the big four in which they began well and faded late. Yesterday's game seemed to be following the template, as Spurs began well, missed their chances, and then fell behind seven minutes before half-time.

As opportunities slipped by, the game seemed to tip inexorably towards Chelsea. Didier Drogba arced a free-kick just over after 34 minutes and, presented with a second chance from a similar position four minutes later, he recalibrated and curved his shot just inside the right-hand post. He was helped by the strange hop Paul Robinson took to his right just before the ball was struck, leaving him, not for the first time, looking flat-footed. Even he, though, would emerge a hero after making an excellent save with his feet from Salomon Kalou with seven minutes of extra-time remaining.

Aims and objectives of the lesson …

To explore the terms ‘tone’ and ‘register’

To assess how texts might be read and ‘heard’ in different ways

To understand how tone and register might be applied to Paper one examination practice.