Maintain Consistency in Style and Tone

What term is used for the feeling expressed in a writing?

• Tone

• Topic

• Evidence

• Purpose

Choose the sentence that uses formal language:

• I don't care if you do it or not.

• Just yell if you have any problems.

• A loss of your name tag should be reported immediately.

• Lots of kids love that kind of music.

Which sentence is the formal way of saying, “He asked for more cash.”

• He wants more money.

• Better give him more dough.

• I need some extra bucks.

• He requested more money.

Which question does NOT help determine style?

• Who is my audience?

• What is my purpose?

• What form is my product?

• How long should my writing be?

Which revision would best improve the consistency of style and tone in the following paragraph? My mother is awesome. She’s the world’s greatest coach, and she’s totally nice to everyone. Her approach to motherhood combines discipline with warmth and compassion. I wish all moms were like mine.

• Make the last sentence shorter and less formal.

• Make the first sentence shorter.

• Make the third sentence shorter and less formal.

• Make the last sentence shorter and more formal.

Which revision would best improve the consistency of tone in the following paragraph? John hated math. He hated it like poison. For John, mathematics presented a serious obstacle on the path to success.

• Increase the length of the first sentence.

• Revise the last sentence so it has a more informal tone.

• Decrease the length of the second sentence.

• Revise the last sentence so it is more complex.

Depending on what you're writing, you'll want to have a specific tone. If you were describing your favorite book to a friend, you might have an effusive tone. That means gushing and heartfelt. If you're writing a research paper, you'll want to keep your tone more objective. Textbooks tend to have a neutral tone, sticking to just the facts without showing the author's attitude toward the subject. Tone can be related to purpose. If you want to inform your reader, and not persuade her, an objective tone might be best. Based on the passage, which of the following most likely has an objective tone?

• an encyclopedia entry

• a letter to a friend

Read the sentence. If you are running for student office, the first thing you need to do is identify your own priorities as a student. This will help you identify how to best serve other students' needs. Which sentence could be added to best maintain consistency and style?

• Next, you'll want to figure out who your real buddies are.

• Following that, try to think up a solid game plan for yourself.

• Once you've got it together, go for it, like you've got nothing to lose.

• The next step is to determine how to express your plan to students.

Which sentence could be added to the end of the paragraph to BEST maintain consistent style?

• I always take my pet to the vet to make sure it is healthy.

• If you take your pet to the vet, be ready to have an active, healthy pet!

• With regular visits to the veterinarian, pets can enjoy long and healthy lives.

• Provided one visits with veterinarians quite regularly, pets with maintain their health.

In which subtopic would the author's use of formal, academic language be placed?

• Grammar and punctuation

• Language and style

• Character development

• Plot and setting