AP Tone Words

accusatory

charging of wrong doing

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

condescension; condescending

a feeling of superiority

callous

unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others

contemplative

studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue

critical

finding fault

choleric

hot-tempered, easily angered

contemptuous

showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect

caustic

intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting

conventional

lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality

disdainful

scornful

didactic

author attempts 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

darkness, sadness, rejection

haughty

proud and vain to the point of arrogance

indignant

marked by anger aroused by injustice

intimate

very familiar

judgmental

authoritative and often having critical opinions

jovial

happy

lyrical

expressing a poet’s inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like

matter-of-fact

accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional

mocking

treating with contempt or ridicule

morose

gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent

malicious

purposely hurtful

objective

an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside

optimistic

hopeful, cheerful

obsequious

polite and obedient in order to gain something

patronizing

air of condescension

pessimistic

seeing the worst side of things; no hope

quizzical

odd, eccentric, amusing

ribald

offensive in speech or gesture

reverent

treating a subject with honor and respect

ridiculing

slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of

reflective

illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

sarcastic

sneering, caustic

sardonic

scornfully and bitterly sarcastic

satiric

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

sincere

without deceit or pretense; genuine

solemn

deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection

sanguineous

optimistic, cheerful

whimsical

odd, strange, fantastic; fun