Reading: Tone
R-6
Tone can be defined as the author’s attitude toward a subject. When writing, tone
can be likened to one’s tone of voice when speaking. When one is speaking, the tone
of voice used can convey how the person feels about the subject matter. When
writing, tone is expressed through the author’s choice of words and the way the
sentence or sentences are put together.
The tone of a written piece can be casual, formal, angry, sarcastic, serious,
humorous, playful, sentimental, and more. One way to determine the tone of what is
written is to ask how the author would sound if he or she were speaking to you. The
following statements about standing in line at the grocery store will help illustrate
the differences in tone.
ANGRY TONE I hate standing in line at the grocery store. The person behind me gets too close, the
check out person is too slow, the scanners are never right, and that “buy-me-at-the-lastminute” crap is annoying.
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Reading: Tone
R-6
COMPASSIONATE TONE I try to be patient with the people in front of me when I am standing in line at the grocery
store. Some people have to pay more attention to how much money they spend on food
each month.
POSITIVE TONE I like standing in line at the grocery store. It gives me a chance to indulge in celebrity
gossip.
PESSIMISTIC TONE It never fails. Every time I get in line at the grocery store, I always wind up behind
someone who haggles about the price of canned peas, has a million coupons, and wants
to pay with rolled change.
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