Success Homeschool

Year 8 English · Tone and audience in persuasive texts

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. Which word has the most negative connotation?
- ☐ (a) Confident
- ☐ (b) Self-assured
- ☐ (c) Arrogant
- ☐ (d) Bold
2. 'We must act today – every hour of delay puts lives at risk.' The tone is best described as…
- ☐ (a) Urgent
- ☐ (b) Light-hearted
- ☐ (c) Bored
- ☐ (d) Sarcastic
3. What does 'positions the reader' mean?
- ☐ (a) Tells the reader where to sit
- ☐ (b) Places the text on the page
- ☐ (c) Gives the reader a list of facts
- ☐ (d) Leads the reader towards a particular view
4. Which tone would best suit a letter to a government department requesting funding?
- ☐ (a) Abusive
- ☐ (b) Reasonable and respectful
- ☐ (c) Sarcastic
- ☐ (d) Silly
5. 'Kids today: glued to screens, allergic to fresh air.' The tone towards young people is…
- ☐ (a) Admiring
- ☐ (b) Neutral
- ☐ (c) Critical
- ☐ (d) Sympathetic
6. What do we call the feelings and associations a word carries? (one word)
7. What is the writer's attitude towards the subject called? (one word)
8. Saying the opposite of what you mean in order to mock is called… (one word)

Answer sheet

1. Arrogant — 'Arrogant' suggests excessive, unpleasant pride.
2. Urgent — Words like 'must', 'today' and 'every hour' create urgency.
3. Leads the reader towards a particular view — Writers position readers to think or feel a certain way.
4. Reasonable and respectful — A reasonable tone makes the writer appear credible to officials.
5. Critical — 'Glued' and 'allergic to fresh air' mock young people.
6. Connotation — Connotations go beyond the dictionary meaning.
7. Tone — Tone is the attitude shown through word choice.
8. Sarcasm — Sarcasm uses ironic praise to criticise.