Tone, mood, and attitude are essential elements in poetry that evoke different emotions and reactions in the reader. Some words used to describe these elements include:
Words used to describe tone, mood and attitude include the following:
Accusatory: assigning blame or guilt, as in Diamond's finger-pointing at the Bank of England.
Apathetic: lacking emotion, as when a player misses field goals with indifference.
Awe: a feeling of wonder or admiration, as expressed in someone's words.
Bitter: expressing severe grief or regret, as when someone is bitter about losing a nomination.
Cynical: believing the worst of human nature and motives, as when confronting the facts of global warming.
Condescending: showing arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior.
Callous: emotionally hardened, as fans felt dissed by Nintendo's callous wording.
Contemplative: seriously thoughtful, as in scenes that unfold in contemplative long takes.
Critical: examining and finding fault with something, as with a critical view.
Choleric: quickly aroused to anger, as when someone clenches their hands in indignation.
Contemptuous: expressing extreme scorn or hatred, as when someone smiles a little contemptuous smile.
Caustic: harsh or corrosive in tone, as in acrid writing.
Conventional: following accepted customs, policies, and proprieties.
Disdainful: showing arrogant superiority to those considered unworthy.
Didactic: excessively instructive, as in a presentation followed by group discussion.
Derisive: expressing contempt or ridicule.
Earnest: characterized by a firm, humorless belief in one's opinions.
Erudite: having profound knowledge.
Fanciful: indulging in imagination, as with fanciful loops done conscientiously.
Forthright: direct and without evasion, as in an acerbic, furious, forthright manner.
Gloomy: depressingly sad.
Haughty: showing arrogant superiority.
Indignant: angered at something unjust or wrong.
Intimate: marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity.
Judgmental: depending on assessing a person or situation with bias.
Jovial: full of high-spirited merriment and happiness.
Lyrical: expressing deep emotion.
Mocking: playfully vexing, especially by ridicule.
Morose: showing brooding ill humor, becoming more reserved and pensive.
Malicious: having the nature of threatening evil.
Objective: undistorted by emotion or personal bias.
Optimistic: expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds.
Patronizing: treating others with arrogance or contempt.
Pessimistic: expecting the worst possible outcome.
Quizzical: playfully vexing, especially by ridicule.
Ribald: humorously vulgar or offensive.
Reverent: feeling or showing profound respect.
Ridicule: language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate.
Reflective: capable of physically throwing back or recalling something.
Sarcastic: expressing ridicule that hurts, as with Biden's laughing photos and sarcastic messages.
Sardonic: disdainfully or ironically humorous, as with Mr. Dole's sardonic comments.
Satiric: exposing human folly to ridicule or mocking.
Sincere: open and genuine, not deceitful.
Solemn: dignified and somber or sad in manner or character.