Tone

**Tone is the feeling or atmosphere you get from a piece of literature.** **Tone is the general mood or feel of a piece of writing.**

For example, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe had a dark and dreary tone.
In a literary work, the tone is an author's type of voice or writing that reflects his or her opinion and feelings towards the subject they are writing about.

Tone is the attitude the author has about the subject that they are writing about, or howthe writer feels about their story, poem, or essay.

It is typically conveyed through viewpoint or word choice.

A tone gives shape and life to literature. A tone helps create and attitude and the mood the character has in the story. When having a tone it helps the reader have a better understanding on the character and learn their personality. The tone also gives an opinion about if the book is suppose to be funny, serious, dramatic, and sad. Overall the tone helps the reader understand and have more knowledge on what the authors point is.

A writer's tone conveying a particular message will have an impact on how the reader receives that message. A writer's tone is dependent on their intended audience, and their personal feelings toward the subject matter. Tone cane be expressed in many ways, but it is mainly expressed through the words and details an author chooses to use. (This chart can be found at: http://www.irsc.edu/uploadedFiles/Students/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingLab/Tone-and-Purpose.pdf)

Tone is not to be confused with mood. Mood is the atmosphere of the story, tone is the author's attitude to the subject matter.

Similar to what is said above, but tone is referring to what the author is implying, as opposed to mood which is more audience oriented and what the audience inferences on their own. Tone is what the author is intending for the audience to pick up on. It is intentional words usages and/or phrases by the author.

Tone is the author’s expressed feelings towards the subject of the piece. Commonly Used Tone Words: absurd silly, ridiculous ambivalent undecided, having mixed emotions, unsure amused entertained, finding humor, expressed by a smile or laugh angry enraged, very mad, incensed, threatening or menacing apathetic lacking concern, showing little or no interest arrogant haughty, acting with false superiority bitter resentful, h aving strong animosity or rancor <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 208.98px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00747);">cheerful <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 208.98px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01817,1);">jovial, happy, in good spirits <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 226.42px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.960848,1);">comic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 226.42px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00245);">humorous, funny <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 244.02px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.988595,1);">compassionate <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 244.02px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00845);">sympathetic, having feeling for others, showing pity, empathy <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 261.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.99534);">complex <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.98px; top: 261.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00888);">complicated, having many varying <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 466.17px; top: 261.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.976887,1);">characteristics <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 279.06px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.997838);">condescending <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 279.06px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01272,1);">patronizing, stooping to the level of one’s inferiors <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 296.5px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.991848);">critical <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 236.98px; top: 296.5px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01335,1);">disapproving <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 314.1px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.99682);">cruel <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 314.1px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00199);">causing suffering, causing pain <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 331.74px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.994091);">cynical <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.98px; top: 331.74px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00289);">scornful of the motives or virtues of others, bitterly mocking <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 349.18px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.995413);">depressed <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 349.18px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01421,1);">dejected, sad, unhappy, troubled <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 366.78px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00881);">detached <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 366.78px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01749,1);">uninvolved, having no interest or feelings, objective <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 384.22px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.986024,1);">distressed <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 384.22px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.998916);">upset <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 401.82px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00096);">earnest <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 401.82px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.99933);">sincere, showing deep feeling, seriousness <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 419.26px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.996652);">formal <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 419.26px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.0058);">accepting rules, stiff, using textbook style, factual <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 436.86px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02549,1);">gentle <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.98px; top: 436.86px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00429);">considerate, kind, mild, soft, terrifying, <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 454.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01568,1);">hard <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 454.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02374,1);">unfeeling, hard <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 342.14px; top: 454.46px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02225,1);">hearted, unyielding <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 471.9px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00057);">incredulous <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 471.9px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01642,1);">doubtful, disbelieving, skeptical <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 489.5px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02786,1);">indignant <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 489.5px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00817);">angry, angered by something unjust, mean, unworthy <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 506.94px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00816);">intense <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 506.94px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01065,1);">deeply felt, concentrated <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 524.54px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.0102,1);">intimate <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 524.54px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00129);">personal, close, deeply associated <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 541.98px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00054);">ironic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 541.98px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00572);">wry, an unexpected opposite meaning in words or events <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 559.58px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01616,1);">irreverent <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 559.58px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00444);">lacking respect, lacking reverence <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 577.21px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00902);">joyous <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 577.21px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01415,1);">extremely happy <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 594.65px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.03478,1);">loving <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 594.65px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00172);">affectionate, compassionate, showing intense, dee <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 569.85px; top: 594.65px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02257,1);">p feeling <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 612.25px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.985528,1);">malicious <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 612.25px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00062);">spiteful, desiring to harm others or to see others suffer <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 629.69px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.991593);">mocking <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 629.69px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01345,1);">ridiculing, imitating <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 647.29px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00096);">nostalgic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 647.29px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00306);">yearning for the past, homesick, wistful <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 664.89px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.0162,1);">objective <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 664.89px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00972);">factual, uninfluenced by emotion or personal prejudice <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 682.33px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.987665,1);">optimistic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 682.33px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01318,1);">positive, <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 297.98px; top: 682.33px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01019,1);">believing in positive outcomes <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 699.93px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01304,1);">outspoken <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 699.93px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00823);">frank, candid, spoken without reserve <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 717.37px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00991);">pathetic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 717.37px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.999672);">pitiful, useless, wretched <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 734.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.970327,1);">pessimistic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 734.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00977);">tending to take the worst possible view of a situation <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 752.41px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.03579,1);">playful <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.98px; top: 752.41px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.02598,1);">f <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 266.3px; top: 752.41px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00813);">filled, full of good spirits, humorous, <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 500.41px; top: 752.41px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00972);">jesting <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 770.01px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00556);">reticent <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 770.01px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00402);">reserved, restrained <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 787.61px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01596,1);">reverent <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 787.61px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.99733);">respectful, showing deep respect and esteem <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 805.09px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00758);">righteous <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 805.09px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00613);">morally just, morally right, guiltless <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 822.69px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.985485,1);">satiric <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.98px; top: 822.69px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00365);">ridiculing or attacking by means of irony or caustic wit <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 840.13px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00135);">sentimental <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 840.13px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00247);">emotional, showin <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 357.34px; top: 840.13px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00023);">g special feelings for (possibly romantic) <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 857.73px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.98716,1);">serious <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 857.73px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01073,1);">earnest, not funny <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 875.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00066);">straightforward <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 875.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00671);">direct, frank, honest <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 892.77px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.992016);">sympathetic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 892.77px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00912);">understanding <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 910.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.998507);">tragic <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 910.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.987942,1);">disastrous, calamitous <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 927.8px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.00785);">uneasy <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 241.14px; top: 927.8px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(0.999253);">lacking security, lacking comfort <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 96.03px; top: 945.4px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01942,1);">vindictive <span style="display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; left: 240.02px; top: 945.4px; transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px; transform: scale(1.01949,1);">revengeful, spiteful, bitter, unforgiving delighted

Tone is commonly confused with mood. The important thing to remember with tone it that it is the way something is stated. Someone could say something positive with a negative tone. Mood is how you feel, tone is the way you express the feeling, whether you genuinely express the feeling or don't. An example: Let's say you are walking in the hall, and you see someone crying. You want to try to help if you can. You say, "Hey, are you alright?" The person may reply with, "I'm fine," but the tone expresses that the person is sad, so you can tell he/she is