Attitude Word Lists

1.
accusatory-charging of wrong doing

2. apathetic-indifferent due to lack of energy or concern
3. awe-solemn wonder
4. bitter-exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief
5. cynical-questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people
6. condescension; condescending-a feeling of superiority
7. callous-unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others
8. contemplative-studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue
9. critical-finding fault
10. choleric-hot-tempered, easily angered
11. contemptuous-showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect
12. caustic-intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting
13. conventional-lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality
14. disdainful-scornful
15. didactic-author attempts to educate or instruct the reader
16. derisive-ridiculing, mocking
17. earnest-intense, a sincere state of mind
18. erudite-learned, polished, scholarly
19. fanciful-using the imagination
20. forthright-directly frank without hesitation
21. gloomy-darkness, sadness, rejection
22. haughty-proud and vain to the point of arrogance
23. indignant-marked by anger aroused by injustice
24. intimate-very familiar
25. judgmental-authoritative and often having critical opinions
26. jovial-happy
27. lyrical-expressing a poet’s inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like
28. matter-of-fact--accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional
29. mocking-treating with contempt or ridicule
30. morose-gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent
31. malicious-purposely hurtful
32. objective-an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside
33. optimistic-hopeful, cheerful
34. obsequious-polite and obedient in order to gain something
35. patronizing-air of condescension
36. pessimistic-seeing the worst side of things; no hope
37. quizzical-odd, eccentric, amusing
38. ribald-offensive in speech or gesture
39. reverent-treating a subject with honor and respect
40. ridiculing-slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of
41. reflective-illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions
42. sarcastic-sneering, caustic
43. sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic
44. satiric-ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach
45. sincere-without deceit or pretense; genuine
46. solemn-deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection
47. sanguineous -optimistic, cheerful
48. whimsical-odd, strange, fantastic; fun
Students sometimes feel vaguely the correct attitude toward what they are reading, but are unstable to clarify
and intensify the mood because they lack vocabulary adequate to describe. Here is a list of attitudes, which
should prove helpful when trying to identify tone in a piece of writing.
Attitudes chiefly rational:
Explanatory, instructive, didactic, admonitory, condemnatory, indignant, puzzled, curious, wistful, pensive,
thoughtful, preoccupied, deliberate, studied, candid, guileless, thoughtless, innocent, frank, sincere,
questioning, uncertain, doubting, incredulous, critical, insinuating, persuading, coaxing, pleading, persuasive,
argumentative, authoritative
Attitudes of pleasure:
Peaceful, satisfied, contented, happy, cheerful, pleasant, bright, sprightly, joyful, playful, jubilant, elated,
enraptured
Attitudes of pain:
Worried, uneasy, troubled, disappointed, regretful, vexed, annoyed, bored, disgusted, miserable, cheerless,
mournful, sorrowful, sad, dismal, melancholy, plaintive, fretful, querulous, irritable, sore, sour, sulky, sullen,
bitter, crushed, pathetic, tragic
Attitudes of Passion:
Nervous, hysterical, impulsive, impetuous, reckless, desperate, frantic, wild, fierce, furious, savage, enraged,
angry, hungry, greedy, jealous, insane
Attitudes of self-control:
Calm, quiet, solemn, serious, serene, simple, mild, gentle, temperate, imperturbable, nonchalant cool, wary,
cautious
Attitudes of friendliness:
Cordial, sociable, gracious, kindly, sympathetic, compassionate, forgiving, pitying, indulgent, tolerant,
comforting, soothing, tender, loving, caressing, solicitous, accommodating, approving, helpful, obliging,
courteous, polite, confiding, trusting
Attitudes of unfriendliness:
Sharp, severe, cutting, hateful, unsociable, spiteful, harsh, boorish, pitiless, disparaging, derisive, scornful,
satiric, sarcastic, insolent, insulting, impudent, belittling, contemptuous, accusing, reproving, scolding,
suspicious
Attitudes of comedy:
Facetious, comic, ironic, satiric, amused, mocking, playful, humorous, hilarious, uproarious
Attitudes of animation :
Lively, eager, excited, earnest, energetic, vigorous, hearty, ardent, passionate, rapturous, ecstatic, feverish,
inspired, exalted, breathless, hasty, brisk, crisp, hopeful
Attitudes of apathy:
Inert, sluggish, languid, dull, dispassionate, colorless, indifferent, stoic, resigned, defeated, helpless, hopeless,
dry, monotonous, vacant, feeble, dreaming, bored, blasé, sophisticated
Attitudes of self importance:

Impressive, profound, proud, dignified, lofty, imperious, confident, egotistical, peremptory, bombastic,
sententious, arrogant, pompous, stiff, boastful, exultant, insolent, domineering, flippant, saucy, positive,
resolute, haughty, condescending, challenging, bold, defiant, contemptuous, assured, knowing
Attitudes of submission and timidity:

Meek, shy, humble, docile, ashamed, modest, timid, unpretentious, respectful, devout, reverent, servile,
obsequious, groveling, contrite, obedient, willing, fawning, ingratiating, deprecatory, submissive, frightened,
surprised, horrified, aghast, astonished, alarmed, fearful, terrified, trembling, wondering, awed, astounded,
shocked
SOME MORE TIPS ON TONE

Tone reveals the attitude the writer has toward a subject. Word choice (Diction) and syntax allow a writer to
vary the way the audience understands and responds to the feelings the writer incorporates in the passage.
Consistency of tone is how a writer creates unity within a piece. When analyzing tone you are analyzing the
writing the way you would a speaker’s voice.
EXAMPLES: Read the following murder confessions and try to pick out what the writer used to convey the
corresponding tone.
“I just shot my husband five times in the chest with his tek9” TONE: matter-of-fact, objective
“How could I ever have killed him? It just isn’t possible.” TONE: shocked, disbelief
“I’ve murdered my husband. How can I ever be forgiven for this dreadful act?” TONE: remorseful, regretful
“That dirty rat. He’s had it coming for years. I’m glad I finally did it.” TONE: revengeful, triumphant
When analyzing tone the basic elements can be analyzed using the LIDDS acronym.
L anguage overall use of language, such as formal, informal, jargon, etc.
I mages vivid appeals to understanding through senses (metaphor, simile, etc.)
D iction the connotation of word choice
D etails facts that are included or those omitted for a purpose
S yntax how structure affects the reader’s attitude

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1.

accusatory-charging of wrong doing

Attitudes of self importance:

Attitudes of submission and timidity:

SOME MORE TIPS ON TONE

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