Final answer:
The tone of a text is expressed through the writer or speaker's language choices, such as word choice, enjambment, and syntax. In literature, such as Hardy's and Brooks' poems, these choices can evoke emotions like melancholy or rebellion. The tone can also signal the writer's intent to conform to or challenge rhetorical norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of a text is the writer or speaker's attitude conveyed through their language choices and style. For example, in Thomas Hardy's "Neutral Tones," the word choice in the last line can evoke a specific emotional tone, such as melancholy or detachment. The italicized words in the provided table examples demonstrate how word choice can change the tone of a scene from joyful to unhappy. The passage from Annotated Student Sample indicates a tone of incredulity or criticism through its description and rhetorical questions.
In poetry, choices like enjambment in Gwendolyn Brooks' "We Real Cool" can create a rebellious tone, emphasizing certain words and the identity of the speakers. Similarly, the use of italics in a stanza can retain a defiant tone, as seen in the example mentioning 'Egyptian gloom.' Therefore, the tone reflects the writer's intent to either meet or challenge conventional expectations and effectively convey a message to the audience.