Tips for language analysis

[Odette]

Welcome aboard Neophyte =)

[silentgoldeneyes]

Hey guys,

I have serious issues with identifying tone!
Unless its blatantly obvious, and in most opinion pieces it is, but for practice our teacher keeps giving us editorials and seeing as how they are meant to be relatively objective, I really struggle to identify tone.
Are there any keys words I should be looking for? Something to give a clue about the tone?

Thanks in advance,
Nivek

[brendan]

Describing the tone from a piece of writing can be really difficult. I'm not sure how you can learn to do it other than simply reading a lot of examples from other people. See how they have identified tones

[Odette]

I don't know if this will help, but what I would take on the role of the writer, and picture the tone I would be using to express that point of view... if that makes sense. I also would look at the length of the sentences and the type of techniques used, usually indicates the tone...The more practice you get the easier it will be to identify the tone. Hope that helps
Good luck.

[Collin Li]

Reading it aloud in your head can help you find the tone sometimes.

[costargh]

Reading it aloud in your head can help you find the tone sometimes.

What do you mean "reading it aloud in your head"?

[Collin Li]

It means to imagine your voice being projected in your head, if you have that ability (I think everyone does).

[costargh]

But say if you are just reading normally do you usually hear a different voice... ? I am really confused. If I read in my head it is just reading in my head. Or do I just add like the expression to what I am reading rather than just reading the words that form the sentences, so to speak?

[Odette]

You add expression... to what you're doing.

[bucket]

Expert opinion.
If the article is written by an expert in the field of the issue, how do you mention that?
With little techniques throughout paragraphs I state the technique, identify why the user uses it and give an example, but with someone being an expert it's not exactly a technique they're using, it's just what they are, how would you spend 100-150 or so words writing about that? lol.

Hope my question made sense :p

[Odette]

It is a technique...because people are more likely to listen to someone who is an expert in a particular field... if that makes sense lol

[bucket]

So if the writer is an expert, how would i write it in my analysis?
"So-and-so is an expert in the field of such-and-such, this gives more weight to her point of view.." and?? lol

[Odette]

Well that's about it really...not much to say about it...

[brendan]

If readers regard a person highly, they are more likely to trust their opinion. This technique is particularly useful where the audience has a low level of interest.

[Nick]

But say if you are just reading normally do you usually hear a different voice... ? I am really confused. If I read in my head it is just reading in my head. Or do I just add like the expression to what I am reading rather than just reading the words that form the sentences, so to speak?

I can see how you're confused, but you probably just automatically do it without realising anyway. By closely analysing the words that are being penned by the writer, your brain subconsciously determines the tone of the piece. Whilst reading a piece, we draw on our past experiences with the way people express themselves both verbally and on paper, assisting us in determining the tone of the piece.