Read through the following excerpt from P.G. Wodehouse’s short story “The Man with Two Left Feet.” The short story is about a young detective who falls in love with an actress. He isn’t a very good detective, and as the story ends, he has chosen to become an actor in the same company as the woman he loves. This excerpt is from the beginning of the story as Henry meets Alice, the actress.

See if you can detect the tone. Often when you are reading and looking for the tone, you may notice that there’s more than one. Sometimes the shift in tone is signaled to the reader with a transition word such as “but” or “however,” but often it’s up to you—the reader—to notice when the writer has changed tone in a piece. When you’re finished reading, read it again and click on words and phrases (diction) that help to set the tone of the writing. If you choose correctly, the words or phrases will highlight. Try to find at least 19 tone-setting words or phrases.

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Now let’s try to find the tone of this passage. Often when you are reading and looking for the tone, you may notice that there’s more than one. Did you notice, for example, more than one tone in the Wodehouse passage? Sometimes the shift in tone is signaled to the reader with a transition word such as “but” or “however,” but often it’s up to you—the reader—to notice when the writer has changed tone in a piece.

take notes icon Using your notes write down the answers to the following questions. When you are finished, check your understanding to see possible responses.

  1. Where do you think the shift occurs in this passage?
    2. Check Your Understanding

    Sample Response:

    When Henry tells Alice that he is a detective, the tone changes.


  2. Reread the first part of the passage and notice how the tone shifts when Henry reveals that he is a detective. What is the tone of the first part of the passage? What is the tone in the last part of the passage?
    3. Check Your Understanding

    Sample Response:

    The tone in the first part of the passage is lighthearted and happy. After he tells Alice that he is a detective, the tone shifts to a disappointed, perhaps even shameful tone.