Authors convey their tones by using a variety of rhetorical techniques. In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards uses the rhetorical techniques, imagery, repetition and metaphors to show his sharp tone.
             Edwards uses repetition to express his sharp tone. In his sermon he repeats the word "wrath", which mean violent anger, over and over again making it clear how angry god is with his people. Edwards basically dooms the congregation to hell saying that they are horrible people and that they deserve to burn in hell. In putting heavy emphasis on this word, he shows the people that they are all sinners in the sight of god and if they have any hope of not being damned they will repent.
             Edwards sharp tone is also conveyed by the metaphors he uses in his sermon. He compares several things to enforce his tone. Edwards says " The wraths of God are great waters that are dammed for the present..." also he states " The bow of God's wrath is bent and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart..." In his metaphors he does not use positive connotation making them sharp and to the point. In using these metaphors he allows the reader to understand the tone by putting it in a context, which is more easily related.
             Edwards also uses strong imagery to implement his tone. He creates a vivid picture in the reader's head and puts emphasis on his sharp tone. For example he states, "The God the holds you over the pit of Hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours..." If the author had just stated that God is ...