DIDLS Understanding Tone in Literature [Assignment]
Lenora Perry-Samaniego
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this assignment, students will
- analyze the tone of a given text by evaluating its diction, imagery, details, language, and structure through the DIDLS strategy
Assignment
| Element | Observation (What?)
Identify an example of the element in the text. Diction Example: “I was crushed by the burden looming ahead” (5). |
Effect (How?)
Explain how the example of the element impacts the tone. Diction Example: Words like “crushed,” “burden,” and “looming” all help to establish a defeated tone. |
Reasoning (Why?)
Analyze why the author wanted to establish the tone you identified. Diction Example: The author uses this diction to establish a defeated tone because it helps set up the future plot point where the narrator seeks out help. |
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| Diction
Diction is a writer's choice of words. It's how an author selects and uses specific words to express ideas and create a particular tone. Connotation plays a crucial role in how diction affects tone. Connotation refers to the emotions, associations, or subtle meanings that a word suggests beyond its literal definition (eg. “home” has a warmer connotation than “house”). By choosing words with specific connotations, an author can convey their tone. For example, choosing words with negative connotations (like "cheap" instead of "inexpensive") can suggest a critical or disapproving tone. |
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| Images
Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) to create vivid mental pictures for the reader. By paying attention to the types of images an author uses, you can often figure out their tone. For example, bright, colorful imagery might suggest a cheerful or optimistic tone, while dark, gloomy imagery could indicate a sad or pessimistic tone. |
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| Details
Details can be facts, observations, or small bits of description that establish the tone of a text. For example, when describing a character's home, an author might focus on warm, cozy details to create a welcoming tone, or emphasize clutter and disarray to suggest a chaotic or overwhelmed tone. |
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| Language
Language refers to all the words used in a text. The type of language an author chooses - whether formal, informal, clinical, or filled with jargon - helps establish the tone of the writing. For example, if they use a lot of informal language and slang, they might be trying to sound friendly or relatable. |
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| Syntax
Syntax is the way words and phrases are arranged in sentences. The structure an author chooses can affect the rhythm and emphasis of their writing, helping to establish tone. For example, short, choppy sentences can create a tense or urgent tone: "He ran. Heart pounding. Danger close." This syntax feels very different from a long, flowing sentence that might create a more relaxed or dreamy tone. |
Downloadable Resources (Assignment)
Click here to download a Word Doc version of the assignment:
Attribution:
Perry-Samaniego, Lenora. “DIDLS Understanding Tone in Literature [Assignment].” Strategies, Skills and Models for Student Success in Writing and Reading Comprehension. College Station: Texas A&M University, 2024. This work is licensed with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
