ACT: Words to Capture Tone: Words to Capture Tone, List 10

On the ACT Reading Test, you will almost certainly encounter questions that ask about an author's tone — that is, the author's attitude toward their subject matter. Master our comprehensive collection of common words used to describe an author's tone, and you'll be well prepared to tackle these questions.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. positive
    characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance
    I try to lighten the mood with something positive. Dry
  2. neutral
    not supporting or favoring either side in a dispute
    Zeus liked the Trojans best, on the whole, but he wanted to be neutral because Hera was so disagreeable whenever he opposed her openly. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
  3. obsequious
    attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
    I needed to sound confident but not overbearing; friendly but not obsequious. The Guardian (May 3, 2020)
  4. obstinate
    refusing to change one's mind or ways; difficult to convince
    “Under ordinary circumstances, I even like your obstinate braying and your mulish devotion to the cause.” The Reader
  5. outspoken
    given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
    He was quite outspoken in his belief that it was a mistake for guides to pamper their clients. Into Thin Air
  6. passive
    lacking in energy or will
    “I’m passive. I just sit here watching the world.” Wishtree
  7. forceful
    strong and definite in expression or action
    Rosamund's tone is amiable, she laughs frequently, but it is also forceful and insistent. BBC (Nov 28, 2020)
  8. foreboding
    ominously prophetic
    That early brawl, replete with requisite uppercuts and jabs aimed at the temple, set a foreboding tone. New York Times (Sep 28, 2020)
  9. patronizing
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
    “I’m not sure,” she said, giving me a perfunctory, patronizing smile, “that you’re Princeton material.” Becoming
  10. pedantic
    marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
    I felt drawn by professionalism to the edge of sterility, capable of no more than pedantic, lifeless, unassailable prose. Hunger of Memory
  11. impartial
    free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
    People are unable to remain objective, even when motivated to be impartial, which suggests an unintentional element to their decision-making. Scientific American (Dec 3, 2020)
  12. incisive
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    Here, you will find not only a retelling of the famously bumpy relationship between Wagner and Friedrich Nietzsche, but an incisive analysis of the link between Wagner’s music and James Joyce’s literary stream-of-consciousness. Seattle Times (Sep 25, 2020)
Created on Mon Jun 09 15:06:25 EDT 2025

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