Descriptive Writing: Tone

Understanding Tone in Writing

Tone in writing refers to the author’s attitude towards the subject and the audience. It is communicated through word choice, style, and viewpoint.
A piece closely related to tone is mood, which refers to the feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the readers.

Identifying a Consistent Tone

Consistency in tone is essential; sudden shifts can leave readers feeling confused and disoriented.
However, subtle changes can be used with intention to signal changes in a character’s mood or in the storyline.

Influencing Tone Through Word Choice

The diction (word choice) used by the writer contributes significantly to the tone of a story. Formal, informal, serious, sarcastic, humorous, or sombre words can all convey different tones.
Connotation can also greatly impact tone. Words with positive connotations can create an upbeat tone, while those with negative connotations can establish a darker or more melancholic tone.

Varying Sentence Structure

Sentence structure and punctuation can contribute to tone. Long, complex sentences might convey a contemplative or serious tone, while short, clipped sentences can suggest tension or urgency.

Developing Voice to Support Tone

In descriptive writing, an author’s voice—their unique style and way of communicating—can reinforce the chosen tone.
A strong, consistent voice can make a story more engaging and its tone more resonant.

Manipulating Tone to Affect Mood

By changing the tone throughout a piece, writers can manipulate readers’ moods.
Effective use of tone can guide readers to feel the way you want them to—whether that’s happy, sad, fearful, or excited—at any given point in your story.

Writing with an intentional tone is key to guiding your reader’s emotional response and enhancing the immersive quality of your story. Practise by writing short pieces with different tones, and analyse your word choices and sentence structures to understand their impact.