Tone Definition & Examples

Tone Definition: Tone reflects the attitude that an author or a narrator has towards a particular topic or character.

Tone Definition

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Tone

Tone is the author’s attitude towards a subject or character. Common descriptions of tone can include indifference, friendly, brusque, teasing, critical, humorous, solemn, cheerful, etc. Tone can help set a mood, highlight a character’s strengths or flaws, or clue the reader in on something important they should know. Tone can also reflect the author’s understanding of a topic, particularly in poetry, which enhances the reader’s comprehension of meanings hidden behind heavily figurative language. Tone differs from mood in that while it can help to create mood, it is not meant to stir emotions within the reader; instead, its purpose is to reveal the personality of a character or the author towards a subject. For example, while love is often an optimistic and upbeat topic, for someone who has just been heartbroken, love is a complicated and devastating emotion. Romeo reveals this tone towards love in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet after he has been turned away by Rosaline, before he meets Juliet.

“I am too sore enpiercèd with his shaft / To soar with his light feathers, and so bound, / I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. / Under love’s heavy burden do I sink.”

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Notable Examples of Tone in Literature

• Holden’s sarcasm in The Catcher in the Rye
• Narrator’s attitudes towards the early Protestant settlers in The Scarlet Letter
• Nick Carraway’s growing disillusionment in The Great Gatsby
• The resigned tone of the life which George and Hazel Bergeron live belies the tragedy of government-imposed handicaps, even while their son Harrison dances onstage and is eventually arrested in front of their eyes in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

Frequently Asked Questions about Tone Definition & Examples

What does 'tone' mean in literature?

Tone in literature refers to the author's attitude toward the subject, characters, or audience, expressed through word choice and style. It helps set the mood and guides readers' emotional responses.

How can teachers help students identify tone in a text?

Teachers can guide students to look for descriptive language, word choice, and sentence structure to determine tone. Using graphic organizers and asking students how a passage makes them feel can also help build this skill.

What are common examples of tone in writing?

Common examples of tone include serious, humorous, sarcastic, optimistic, angry, and sympathetic. Authors choose tones to match their message and audience.

Why is understanding tone important for students?

Understanding tone helps students analyze texts more deeply, recognize bias, and interpret the author's intent, which are essential skills for reading comprehension and critical thinking.

What is the difference between tone and mood in literature?

Tone is the author's attitude, while mood is the feeling the reader gets from the text. Tone influences mood, but they are not the same. For example, a sarcastic tone can create an amused mood.