Words to Describe Art and Literature: Words to Describe the Tone of a Poem

Impress your English teacher by mastering these words that will help you describe the tone of a poem — or any other piece of creative writing.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. agitated
    troubled emotionally and usually deeply
    While some of Lin’s other pieces are agitated in mood, “Songs” is more serene. Seattle Times (Feb 26, 2014)
  2. apologetic
    offering or expressing regret
    But on the podcast, he took a more serious and apologetic tone. Fox News (Mar 16, 2019)
  3. appreciative
    having or showing a favorable critical judgment or opinion
    In my experience an appreciative letter from a fellow writer means a lot. New York Times (Dec 6, 2012)
  4. elegiac
    resembling or characteristic of a lament for the dead
    While an elegiac theme — overt or subtle — runs through each of those volumes, it’s in this latest that the award-winning poet and critic confronts death head-on. New York Times (Mar 3, 2014)
  5. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
    There was, of course, no time for conversation, but Mr. Clay made many facetious remarks to his admirers as they passed one after another during the hand-shaking. Various
  6. grateful
    feeling or showing thankfulness
    It’s in the pages of this book, in the consciousness of a writer admiring the world, so grateful for its otherness. New York Times (Aug 18, 2020)
  7. humorous
    characterized by the power to cause laughter
    "This is a book of humorous poetry," she said. Matilda
  8. inflammatory
    inciting action or rebellion
    The panel found that his tone of voice and body language were insensitive and inflammatory. Seattle Times (Oct 19, 2017)
  9. ironic
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
    None of this is to say that warm, sincere TV shows are worse, or simpler, or dumber than their more ironic counterparts. New York Times (Jul 26, 2021)
  10. laudatory
    full of or giving praise
    Their words couldn’t be more loving and laudatory, but the deeds that lie ahead will challenge this week’s bliss. Newsweek (Mar 22, 2013)
  11. lyrical
    expressing deep emotion
    There are so many lovely moments in the book, beautiful passages of writing that speak to Beverly-Whittemore’s empathy and lyrical powers of description. New York Times (Aug 17, 2021)
  12. melancholic
    characterized by or causing or expressing sadness
    There are different ways to describe Garbus’s telling of this mystery: it’s serious, respectful, gravely melancholic. New York Times (Mar 11, 2020)
  13. mocking
    expressing contempt or ridicule
    Chronister also laughs at the woman and assumes a mocking tone. Washington Post (Apr 24, 2018)
  14. nostalgic
    unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things
    It’s a sweet, sad and terribly nostalgic story for anyone who recalls a similar journey, especially one in which loyalty counts for something. Seattle Times (Mar 7, 2013)
  15. optimistic
    hopeful that the best will happen in the future
    The film generally strikes an optimistic tone — highlighting the resilience of these young activists and the community they created. New York Times (Oct 29, 2020)
  16. panegyric
    formally expressing praise
    The country’s premier music group is usually known for its panegyric operas dedicated to the “great leaders” from his family. New York Times (Sep 12, 2020)
  17. pessimistic
    expecting the worst possible outcome
    When I got home that afternoon, after eight months of searching New York, I was exhausted and frustrated and pessimistic, even though what I wanted to be was happy. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
  18. reverent
    feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
    We will be reverent and we will be respectful – but we will not be silenced. The Guardian (Jun 16, 2014)
  19. romantic
    expressive of or exciting love
    Verdi’s “La traviata” is one of the most popular operas of all time, filled with all the vital ingredients of a classic: beautiful arias, a romantic story line, a doomed heroine and a passionate hero. Seattle Times (Jan 16, 2017)
  20. sardonic
    disdainfully or ironically humorous
    His opening monologue was a proper stand-up set that showcased his talent for dry, sardonic humor. New York Times (Apr 15, 2018)
  21. sentimental
    marked by tender, romantic, or nostalgic emotion
    These poems are sometimes dismissed as uplifting to the point of being overly sentimental. The New Yorker (Jul 24, 2019)
  22. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    Behind the playful exterior of her work, Ms. Neuenschwander says, there often lurks something “more somber and serious,” even dark. New York Times (Jun 21, 2010)
  23. sympathetic
    expressing compassion or friendly fellow feelings
    Her voice was sympathetic, as though she really cared what happened to me. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
  24. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    The acclaimed Canadian writer Jane Urquhart often works within a particular wistful mood — her stories, whether contemporary or historical, are full of dormant hurts, quietly endured; long separations; sorrows. New York Times (Jul 26, 2015)
  25. witty
    demonstrating striking cleverness and humor
    Try the witty, wild poems in Michael Robbins’s collection, “Alien vs. Predator”; in the title poem the poet rhymes “jerk” with “berserk.” New York Times (Apr 11, 2017)
Created on Wed Aug 25 09:23:18 EDT 2021 (updated Wed Aug 25 12:50:08 EDT 2021)

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