What exactly is tone in writing?
Tone is the attitude or feeling that your writing gives off to the reader. It sets the mood and helps your audience understand how to feel about what they are reading. Tone can be formal, casual, serious, humorous or anything in between. (I once tried a serious tone for a joke and it landed so flat I needed a stretcher.)
Examples:
- The witty and playful tone in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- The serious and reflective tone in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tips:
- Think about your audience and purpose before deciding your tone
- Use word choice, sentence length and punctuation to shape tone
- Keep your tone consistent throughout your piece
Further reading: Tone and Voice by Jane Cleland
Why is setting the right tone important?
The right tone helps your message connect with readers and makes your content effective. The wrong tone can confuse or even alienate your audience. (Don’t write an overly formal email to your best friend, because nothing says “BFF” like starting with “Dear Sir or Madam…)
Examples:
- The encouraging tone in self-help books like You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
- The suspenseful tone in thrillers like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Tips:
- Match your tone to your topic and audience expectations
- Avoid sudden shifts in tone that might jar the reader
- Read your writing aloud to catch tone inconsistencies
Further reading: Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
How do word choice and sentence structure affect tone?
Choosing formal or informal words changes the tone immediately. Short sentences can create tension or urgency while longer ones might feel relaxed or thoughtful. (I once wrote a text full of fancy words and my friend replied with a dictionary emoji.)
Examples:
- The simple, direct language in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- The flowery, elaborate sentences in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Tips:
- Use strong verbs and specific nouns to convey tone clearly
- Vary sentence length to keep tone engaging
- Avoid clichés to keep your tone fresh
Further reading: Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams
Can tone change within a piece?
Tone can shift if done carefully to reflect changes in mood or perspective. Sudden or unexplained shifts can confuse readers though. (Otherwise, one minute your readers are laughing at a rom-com, and the next they’re wondering why there’s a murder confession in chapter three.)
Examples:
- The mix of humour and darkness in Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- The shifting tones in Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Tips:
- Use clear transitions when shifting tone
- Make sure changes serve the story or message
- Keep shifts subtle to avoid jarring the reader
Further reading: On Writing Well by William Zinsser
How does point of view influence tone?
The narrator’s perspective strongly affects tone. First-person narrators can sound personal and intimate, while third-person might feel more distant or objective. (I once wrote in first person and ended up revealing way too many embarrassing thoughts.)
Examples:
- The conversational tone of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The detached, ironic tone in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tips:
- Choose a point of view that fits the tone you want
- Use the narrator’s voice to shape mood and attitude
- Stay consistent with the chosen perspective
Further reading: Point of View in Fiction by Orson Scott Card
How can punctuation affect tone?
Punctuation controls the rhythm and emotion of your writing. Exclamation marks can add excitement or urgency, while ellipses suggest hesitation or mystery. (Don’t use so many exclamation marks that your editor will think you’re auditioning for a cheerleading squad.)
Examples:
- The quick, punchy sentences with lots of commas and exclamations in The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- The long, flowing sentences with semicolons in Middlemarch by George Eliot
Tips:
- Use punctuation to reinforce the mood of your sentences
- Avoid overusing any one punctuation mark
- Read sentences aloud to hear how punctuation affects tone
Further reading: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
How can humour be used to set tone effectively?
Humour can make writing more engaging and relatable. It lightens serious topics or adds personality. But it must fit the content and audience or it can backfire.
Examples:
- The clever satire in Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
- The dry humour in Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Tips:
- Use humour that fits your voice and audience
- Avoid humour that might offend or distract
- Balance humour with other tones for depth
Further reading: The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus
How do emotions affect tone in writing?
The emotions you want to evoke shape your tone. Anger creates sharp, direct language, while sadness might bring a softer, slower tone. (Sometimes I write such sad scenes I find myself crying over the keyboard.)
Examples:
- The passionate, urgent tone in 1984 by George Orwell
- The melancholic tone in The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Tips:
- Identify the emotion you want your reader to feel
- Use language and rhythm to reflect that emotion
- Avoid mixed emotional signals unless intentional
Further reading: Writing with Emotion by Karl Iglesias
How can you maintain tone consistency across different formats?
Whether writing blogs, emails or novels, tone should fit the format and remain consistent. Mixing tones in one piece can confuse readers. (No one wants a blog post that starts like a thriller novel and ends with “Sincerely yours, Management.”)
Examples:
- The friendly and helpful tone in customer service emails
- The formal and respectful tone in academic writing
Tips:
- Know your format and audience before you write
- Edit carefully to keep tone steady
- Get feedback to catch unintended shifts
Further reading: The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
What exercises can help me practice controlling tone?
Try rewriting the same paragraph in different tones such as serious, funny or sarcastic. Read works aloud to hear tone. Practice identifying tone in your favourite books. (A sarcastic love letter might be hilarious but not very romantic.)
Tips:
- Experiment with tone in short writing exercises
- Record yourself reading to catch tone variations
- Ask others how your tone feels to them
Further reading: Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
Where can I find more resources about writing tone?
Many books, blogs and courses focus on tone and voice in writing. Watching films or listening to podcasts about storytelling can also help.
Tips:
- Join writing groups to discuss tone and style
- Analyse different authors’ tones in their works
- Keep practising and experimenting
Further reading: Voice and Tone by Emily Dickinson (okay maybe not her but close enough)