AP Lit tone words

accusatory

charging of wrongdoing

apathetic

indifferent due to lack of energy or concern

awe

solemn wonder

bitter 

exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief

Cynical

questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people

Condescending

a feeling of superiority

Callous

unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others

contemplative

studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue

Critical

finding fault

Contemptuous

showing or feeling that something is worthless or unworthy of respect

Caustic

intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting

Conventional

lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality

disdainful

scornful

didatic

Tone used by an author attempting to educate or instruct the reader

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

earnest 

intense; a sincere state of mind 

erudite

learned, polished, scholarly

fanciful

using the imagination

Forthright

directly frank without hesitation

gloomy

dark, sad, dejected

haughty 

proud and vain to the point of arrogance 

intimate

very familiar

Judgmental

authoritative and often having critical opinions

Mocking 

Treating others with contempt or ridicule 

Morose 

gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent 

Malicious 

purposely hurtful 

Objective

Unbiased view- able to leave personal judgement aside

optimistic

hopeful, cheerful

pessimistic

seeing the worst side of things; no hope

reverent

Treating a subject with honor and respect 

reflective

illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

sarcastic

sneering, caustic

resigned

acceptance that something is unpleasant can’t be changed 

satiric

Ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach