The author’s attitude is his view of the characters and actions. It reflects his judgement of them. The reader is expected to share the author’s attitude.
The attitude of a writer to his subject matter determines the tone of the story. The tone is the light in which the characters and events are depicted. Tone helps us to understand if the writer takes the subject matter seriously, comically, bitterly, humorously, ironically, etc. Tone also expresses the relationship between the author (the narrator) and the reader. Thus, the tone may be casual, familiar, impolite, defiant, offensive, sarcastic, ironical, sneering or bitter.
Tone in oral speech is primarily conveyed by modulations of the voice pitch, whereas in written speech the tone is mainly conveyed by emotionally coloured words.
The English language has its own system of expressive means – words and phrases which help to add vividness to the description and with the help of it to touch the reader’s imagination. These words and phrases are used figuratively (metaphorically).
7. Style of language
a) When a writer resorts to the language of everyday life, neither rich nor refined, and which is especially typical of dialogues, we call this style colloquial (informal).
b) When a writer resorts to the language which is not widely used in everyday life and is not typical of spoken English because it is “too correct” we call this style bookish (or formal, official).
c) When there are many scientific words terms in a story we speak about scientific style.
d) When there are words typical of this or that profession we speak about professional words in a story.
We can also name newspaper, publicistic and religious styles. Though there are quite often no strict borders between styles. (e.g. science-fiction style).
II. The Plan for Rendering the Story
Helpful Language Reference
To make you talk on stories more colourful you may benefit from the following words and phrases:
1. The story under discussion deals with …
2. The setting of the story dates back to (the time) …
3. The events described in the story throw light upon …
4. The author resorts to ...
5. The author attaches special significance to detai1s (epithets, monologue, description and so on).
6. The author has а sharp eye for detai1s.
7. The choice of words is very elaborate.
8. It helps us to get а vivid notion of ...
9. The author makes ample use of the dialogue.
10. to depict, to portray
11. to reveal, to display through
12. surprise ending
13. happy end
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1. The story under discussion … |
а) is taken from the novel «Маrtin Eden» by Jack London. b) is an ancient legend retold by an unknown writer. |
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2. The author of the text; where & when the text was published |
The author of the text is … The text is written by … It is (was) published in … It is (was) printed in … |
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3. The title or the text (story) |
is the first element to catch our eye. – reveals to the whole story and acquires its precise meaning. – it acquires an ironical shade… The text is head - lined … The head - line of the text I have read … |
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4. The plot of the legend is based on … |
а) relations between sons and fathers. b) the life of а talented actress in Paris. с) some mysterious events which took place in the town of Кyoto. |
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5. The contents of the text. Some facts, names, figures. (The plot structure) |
1. a) The author starts by telling the readers (about, that) … b) The author writes (states, stresses, thinks, points out) that … c) The text describes … d)According to the text … e) Further the author reports (says) that … f) The text goes on to say that … j) The author comes to the conclusion that … 2. a) The text begins with the descriptions of … with a summary of … by mentioning … b) The text opens with: after that (then, next) the author passes on to the …, goes on to say … gives a detailed analysis (description) of … The author concludes with … The author ends with … To finish with the author describes … The author: describes emphasizes depicts stresses dwells on underlines touches upon criticizes explains exposes introduces us accuses mentions blames condemns writes characterizes thinks analyses says enumerates states… comments |
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6. There are two forces in the story that come into collision: (conflict) |
а) the peasants and the landowners. b) the soul of the mirror and the owner of the strange house. с) people and nature. |
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7. The theme of the legend can be formulated as… |
a) an eternal longing of people for freedom. b) the writers warning against the pollution of Nature. с) а reminder to people that neglecting ancient traditions and prejudices leads, sometimes, to tragic events and disharmony in people lives. |
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9. The main idea (message) of the text |
The main idea of the text is … The text is about … The text is devoted to … The text deals with … The text touches upon … The purpose of the text is to give the reader some information on … The aim of the text is to provide the reader some material (data) on … |
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10. The author’s attitude to the events in the story is… |
а) humorous and it is revealed through the dialogues which are full of humour and laughter. b) ironical, for he doesn't believe in any prejudices. с) is quite serious, he evidently sympathizes with the sufferings of the mirror and the final words of the story prove it. |
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11. The atmosphere (mood) of the story is... |
а) light and lively. b) sad and pessimistic. с) mysterious and sometimes tragic. |
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12. The atmosphere of mystery is created through the choice of words, such as: |
a) kind, joyful, happily, gladness. b) strange belief, commit suicide; fall а victim, witch, death, vanish. |
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13. The legend is written in ... |
а) the language of illiterate people. b) а colloquial style. с) a bookish style. d) а scientific style. |
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14. You opinion of the text. |
I found the text interesting (important, dull, of no value, too hard to understand …). |
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