Question

what does the diction and details reveal about the tone in this passage.

"When first I took up my abode in the woods, that is, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, 1845, my house was not finished for winter, but was merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney, the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night."
Writeacher
I told you about the other quotation. Now it's your turn to try.

What do you think the overall idea is here?
Morgan
I don't understand what the diction or tone is
Ms. Sue
Please answer Writeacher's question.

Then we'll be able to help you from there.
Morgan
The idea is to explain how it was like living where he was living
I think
Writeacher
How was he living?
Morgan
It sounds like in a an unfinished cabin in the woods making it cold at night.
Writeacher
Right!

"Tone" is all about how the author feels about his topic. Is he happy? resentful? curious? satisfied? what?

So ... how does he feel about this house if he stays in it through the winter? Remember ... this house is in Massachusetts!
Morgan
I can't this of a good word but basically a (tough) tone.
Writeacher
What do you mean by "tough"?
Morgan
it was a tough environment to be living in. What do you think the tone is
Writeacher
Are you sure? How do you define "tough"?

http://www.google.com/search?q=dough+definition&oq=dough+definition&aqs=chrome..69i57.3580j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8#q=tough+definition
Writeacher
And remember that "tone" is referring to emotion. "Tough" is not an emotion! But understanding what you mean can lead you to understanding his emotion about this house.
Morgan
So wait now I am even more confused than I started. How do I find the tone
Writeacher
How does he FEEL about this house in the woods?
Morgan
That's the thing. I am not sure how he feels. His diction is like factual
Morgan
Ok, is it a solemn tone
Ms. Sue
Morgan, I suggest you read this information about the author, Henry David Thoreau, and his book writing about Walden Pond.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden
Morgan
I talked with my sister and she thinks it a rugged tone. Any thoughts.

P.S. I never uses wikipedia and do not plan to use it now. It is an unreliable resource that my teacher would not tolerate.
Ms. Sue
Ok. This site has similar information. Please read it.

http://thoreau.library.ucsb.edu/thoreau_walden.html

Note that it has edu. in its URL. It's a publication of the library at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Morgan
How does that help me with the tone. Is it an unsatisfactory tone
Morgan
Whats a type of tone that would explain the feeling of difficulty or a challenge .
Writeacher
Thoreau was happy (satisfied) with his cabin, even though he knew it would need more work if he wanted it to keep him warm in winter.

I don't sense dissatisfaction in there.