VOCABULARY AND TERMS
48 Swell Tone Words and Definition  
  1. accusatory-charging of wrong doing
  2. apathetic-indifferent due to lack of energy or concern
  3. awe-solemn wonder
  4. bitter-exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief
  5. cynical-questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people
  6. condescension; condescending-a feeling of superiority
  7. callous-unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others
  8. contemplative-studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue
  9. critical-finding fault
  10. choleric-hot-tempered, easily angered
  11. contemptuous-showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect
  12. caustic-intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting
  13. conventional-lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality
  14. disdainful-scornful
  15. didactic-author attempts to educate or instruct the reader
  16. derisive-ridiculing, mocking
  17. earnest-intense, a sincere state of mind
  18. erudite-learned, polished, scholarly
  19. fanciful-using the imagination
  20. forthright-directly frank without hesitation
  21. gloomy-darkness, sadness, rejection
  22. haughty-proud and vain to the point of arrogance
  23. indignant-marked by anger aroused by injustice
  24. intimate-very familiar
  25. judgmental-authoritative and often having critical opinions
  26. jovial-happy
  27. lyrical-expressing a poet's inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like
  28. matter-of-fact--accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional
  29. mocking-treating with contempt or ridicule
  30. morose-gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent
  31. malicious-purposely hurtful
  32. objective-an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside
  33. optimistic-hopeful, cheerful
  34. obsequious-polite and obedient in order to gain something
  35. patronizing-air of condescension
  36. pessimistic-seeing the worst side of things; no hope
  37. quizzical-odd, eccentric, amusing
  38. ribald-offensive in speech or gesture
  39. reverent-treating a subject with honor and respect
  40. ridiculing-slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of
  41. reflective-illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions
  42. sarcastic-sneering, caustic
  43. sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic
  44. satiric-ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach
  45. sincere-without deceit or pretense; genuine
  46. solemn-deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection
  47. sanguineous -optimistic, cheerful
  48. whimsical-odd, strange, fantastic; fun