AP Lang tone words

absurd

logically impossible, ridiculous

accusatory

charging of wrong doing

acerbic

harsh, severe

admiring

approving, holding in high-esteem

aggressive

hostile

ambivalent

mixed or conflcting feelings

animated

lively, passionate

apathetic

indifferent due to lack of energy or concern

apologetic

expressing regret

ardent

intense,passionate

arrogant

aggressively haughty

assertive

positive, overbearing

audacious

bold, daring

awe

solemn wonder

awestruck

fear mingled with admiration

bantering

witty teasing, good natured, playful, joking

befuddled

muddle or confuse

benevolent

desiring to do good, kind

bitter

exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain of grief

callous

unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others

candid

outspoken, frank

caustic

intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting

cautionary

warning of danger

celebratory

praise, honor

choleric

hot tempered, easily angered

cold

deliberate disregard

colloquial

ordinary, everyday speech

compassionate

sympathetic, merciful

compliant

yielding to the will of others

complimentary

positive

conciliatory

pacify, overcome

condescending

a feeling of superiority

confident

full of conviction, certain, self assured

contemplative

thinking, reflecting on an issue

contemptuous

showing of feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect

conventional

lacking spontaneity, originality, individuality

critical

finding fault

cynical

questions basic sincerity and goodness of people

defiant

full of antagonism, challenging

demeaning

degrade, speak low of someone or something

depressed

hopeless

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

detached

impartial, aloof, not engaged

didactic

author attempts to educate/instruct reader

diffident

hesitant, unwilling to assert, lacking self

dignified

honor upon

diplomatic

tactful, good judgement

disdainful

scornful

disheartened

losing spirit or courage

disparaging

speak poorly of, discredit

dispassionate

impartial, lacking emotion

docile

easy to manage, get along

dramatic

striking in effect, provoking emotions

earnest

intense, a sincere state of mind

egotistical

conceit