List 1 (Tone Vocabulary)

AP Lit

Amiable

having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner

Apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Authoritative

commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed

Caustic

sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

Choleric

bad-tempered or irritable

Condescending

having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

Didactic

intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

Droll

curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

Histrionic

overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style

Indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

Lyrical

(of literature, art, or music) expressing the writer’s emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way

Morose

sullen and ill-tempered

Playful

lighthearted or humorous

Poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

Provocative

causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately; arousing sexual desire or interest, especially deliberately

Restrained

characterized by reserve or moderation; unemotional or dispassionate

Sarcastic

marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt

Staid

sedate, respectable, and unadventurous

Vibrant

pulsating with vigor and energy; lively