example essay for tone

Tone in Writing: 42 Examples of Tone For All Types of Writing

by Joe Bunting | 0 comments

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What is tone in writing and why does it matter?

Tone is key for all communication. Think of the mother telling her disrespectful child, “Watch your tone, young man.” Or the sarcastic, humorous tone of a comedian performing stand up. Or the awe filled way people speak about their favorite musician, author, or actor. Or the careful, soft tones that people use with each other when they first fall in love.

Tone  is  communication, sometimes more than the words being used themselves.

So then how do you use tone in writing, and how does tone influence the meaning of a writing piece?

In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to use tone in all types of writing, from creative writing to academic and even business writing. You'll learn what tone actually  is  in writing and how it's conveyed. You'll learn the forty-two types of tone in writing, plus even have a chance to test your tone recognition with a practice exercise. 

Ready to become a tone master? Let's get started.

Why You Should Listen To Me?

I've been a professional writer for more than a decade, writing in various different formats and styles. I've written formal nonfiction books, descriptive novels, humorous memoir chapters, and conversational but informative online articles (like this one!).

Which is all to say, I earn a living in part by matching the right tone to each type of writing I work on. I hope you find the tips on tone below useful!

Table of Contents

Definition of Tone in Writing Why Tone Matters in Writing 42 Types of Tone Plus Tone Examples How to Choose the Right Tone for Your Writing Piece Tone Writing Identification Exercise Tone Vs. Voice in Writing The Role of Tone in Different Types of Writing

Tone in Creative Writing Tone in Academic Writing Tone in Business Writing Tone in Online Writing

Conclusion: How to Master Tone Practice Exercise

Definition of Tone in Writing

Examples of tone can be formal, informal, serious, humorous, sarcastic, optimistic, pessimistic, and many more (see below for all forty-two examples)

Why Does Tone Matter in Writing

I once saw a version of Shakespeare's  A Midsummer Night's Dream in which the dialogue had been completely translated into various Indian dialects, including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and more. And yet, despite not knowing any of those languages, I was amazed to find that I could follow the story perfectly, infinitely better than the average Shakespeare in the park play.

How could I understand the story so well despite the fact that it was in another language? In part, it was the skill of the actors and their body language. But one of the biggest ways that the actors communicated meaning was one thing.

Their tone of voice.

Tone is one of the most important ways we grasp the meaning of what someone is saying. If someone says, “I love you,” in an angry, sneering way, it doesn't matter what their words are saying, the meaning will be completely changed by their tone.

In the same way, tone is crucial in writing because it significantly influences how readers interpret and react to the text. Here are a few reasons why tone is important:

• Tone conveys feeling. The tone reflects the writer's attitude toward the subject and the audience, helping to shape readers' perceptions and emotional responses.
• Tone can help readers understand the meaning of the text. A well-chosen tone can clarify meaning, making it easier for readers to understand the writer's intent and message.
• Tone is engaging! As humans, we are designed to respond to emotion and feeling! Tone can help to engage or disengage readers. A relatable or compelling tone can draw readers in, while an off-putting tone can push them away.
• Tone sets the mood. Tone can set the mood or atmosphere of a piece of writing, influencing how readers feel as they go through the text.
• Tone persuades. In persuasive writing, tone plays a significant role in influencing how convincing or compelling your arguments are.
• Tone reflects professionalism. In professional or academic contexts, maintaining an appropriate tone is crucial to uphold the writer's authority.

42 Types of Tone in Writing Plus Examples of Tone

Tone is about feeling—the feeling of a writer toward the topic and audience. Which means that nearly any attitude or feeling can be a type of tone, not just the forty-two listed below.

However, you have to start somewhere, so here a list of common tones that can be used in writing, with an example for each type:

• Example : “Upon analysis of the data, it's evident that the proposed hypothesis is substantiated.”
• Example : “Hey folks, today we'll be chatting about the latest trends in tech.”
• Example : “The implications of climate change on our future generations cannot be overstated.”
• Example : “Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!”
• Example : “Oh great, another diet plan. Just what I needed!”
• Example : “Despite the setbacks, we remain confident in our ability to achieve our goals.”
• Example : “Given the declining economy, it's doubtful if small businesses can survive.”
• Example : “We must act now! Every moment we waste increases the danger.”
• Example : “The experiment concluded with the subject showing a 25% increase in performance.”
• Example : “I've always found the taste of coffee absolutely heavenly.”
• Example : “We owe our success to the ceaseless efforts of our esteemed team.”
• Example : “So much for their ‘revolutionary' product. It's as exciting as watching paint dry.”
• Example : “The film's plot was so predictable it felt like a tiresome déjà vu.”
• Example : “Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Believe in your potential.”
• Example : “A politician making promises? Now there's something new.”
• Example : “We must fight to protect our planet—it's the only home we have.”
• Example : “Whether it rains or shines tomorrow, it makes little difference to me.”
• Example : “As the doors creaked open, a chilling wind swept through the abandoned mansion.”
• Example : “She gazed at the fading photograph, lost in the echoes of a time long past.”
• Example : “The fire station caught on fire—it's almost poetic, isn't it?”
• Example : “I can understand how challenging this period has been for you.”
• Example : “His excuse for being late was as pathetic as it was predictable.”
• Example : “Our feline companion has gone to pursue interests in a different locale” (meaning: the cat ran away).
• Example : “Your report is due by 5 PM tomorrow, no exceptions.”
• Example : “So, you've got a hankering to learn about star constellations—well, you're in the right place!”
• Example : “She tiptoed down the dim hallway, every shadow pulsating with the mysteries of her childhood home.”
• Example : “With the approaching footsteps echoing in his ears, he quickly hid in the dark alcove, heart pounding.”
• Example : “His eyes were a stormy sea, and in their depths, she found an anchor for her love.”
• Example : “In the heart of the mystical forest, nestled between radiant will-o'-the-wisps, was a castle spun from dreams and starlight.”
• Example : “The quantum mechanical model posits that electrons reside in orbitals, probabilistic regions around the nucleus, rather than fixed paths.”
• Example : “When constructing a thesis statement, it's crucial to present a clear, concise argument that your paper will substantiate.”
• Example : “The juxtaposition of light and dark imagery in the novel serves to illustrate the dichotomy between knowledge and ignorance.”
• Example : “Upon deconstructing the narrative, one can discern the recurrent themes of loss and redemption.”
• Example : “One must remember, however, that the epistemological underpinnings of such an argument necessitate a comprehensive understanding of Kantian philosophy.”
• Example : “The ephemeral nature of existence prompts us to contemplate the purpose of our pursuits and the value of our accomplishments.”
• Example : “She left the room.”
• Example : “Global warming is a major issue that needs immediate attention.”
• Example : “Maybe she’ll come tomorrow, I thought, watching the cars pass by, headlights blurring in the rain—oh, to be somewhere else, anywhere, the beach maybe, sand between my toes, the smell of the sea…”
• Example : “In the quiet solitude of the night, I grappled with my fears, my hopes, my dreams—how little I understood myself.”
• Example : “The autumn leaves crunched underfoot, their vibrant hues of scarlet and gold painting a brilliant tapestry against the crisp, cerulean sky.”
• Example : “Looking back on my childhood, I see a time of joy and innocence, a time when the world was a playground of endless possibilities.”
• Example : “Gazing up at the star-studded sky, I was struck by a sense of awe; the universe's vast expanse dwarfed my existence, reducing me to a speck in the cosmic canvas.”
• Example : “His unwavering determination in the face of adversity serves as a shining beacon for us all, inspiring us to strive for our dreams, no matter the obstacles.”

Any others that we forgot? Leave a comment and let us know!

Remember, tone can shift within a piece of writing, and a writer can use more than one tone in a piece depending on their intent and the effect they want to create.

The tones used in storytelling are particularly broad and flexible, as they can shift and evolve according to the plot's developments and the characters' arcs.

​​How do you choose the right tone for your writing piece?

The tone of a piece of writing is significantly determined by its purpose, genre, and audience. Here's how these three factors play a role:

• Purpose: The main goal of your writing guides your tone. If you're trying to persuade someone, you might adopt a passionate, urgent, or even a formal tone, depending on the subject matter. If you're trying to entertain, a humorous, dramatic, or suspenseful tone could be suitable. For educating or informing, an objective, scholarly, or didactic tone may be appropriate.
• Genre: The type of writing also influences the tone. For instance, academic papers often require a formal, objective, or scholarly tone, while a personal blog post might be more informal and conversational. Similarly, a mystery novel would have a suspenseful tone, a romance novel a romantic or passionate tone, and a satirical essay might adopt an ironic or sarcastic tone.
• Audience: Understanding your audience is crucial in setting the right tone. Professional audiences may expect a formal or respectful tone, while a younger audience might appreciate a more conversational or even irreverent tone. Furthermore, if your audience is familiar with the topic, you can use a more specialized or cerebral tone. In contrast, for a general audience, a clear and straightforward tone might be better.

It's also worth mentioning that the tone can shift within a piece of writing. For example, a novel might mostly maintain a dramatic tone, but could have moments of humor or melancholy. Similarly, an academic paper could be mainly objective but might adopt a more urgent tone in the conclusion to emphasize the importance of the research findings.

In conclusion, to choose the right tone for your writing, consider the intent of your piece, the expectations of the genre, and the needs and preferences of your audience. And don't forget, maintaining a consistent tone is key to ensuring your message is received as intended.

How to Identify Tone in Writing

How do you identify the tone in various texts (or even in your own writing)? What are the key indicators that help you figure out what tone a writing piece is?

Identifying the tone in a piece of writing can be done by focusing on a few key elements:

• Word Choice (Diction): The language an author uses can give you strong clues about the tone. For instance, formal language with lots of technical terms suggests a formal or scholarly tone, while casual language with slang or contractions suggests an informal or conversational tone.
• Sentence Structure (Syntax): Longer, complex sentences often indicate a formal, scholarly, or descriptive tone. Shorter, simpler sentences can suggest a more direct, informal, or urgent tone.
• Punctuation: The use of punctuation can also impact tone. Exclamation marks may suggest excitement, urgency, or even anger. Question marks might indicate confusion, curiosity, or sarcasm. Ellipsis (…) can suggest suspense, uncertainty, or thoughtfulness.
• Figurative Language: The use of metaphors, similes, personification, and other literary devices can help set the tone. For instance, an abundance of colorful metaphors and similes could suggest a dramatic, romantic, or fantastical tone.
• Mood: The emotional atmosphere of the text can give clues to the tone. If the text creates a serious, somber mood, the tone is likely serious or melancholic. If the mood is light-hearted or amusing, the tone could be humorous or whimsical.
• Perspective or Point of View: First-person narratives often adopt a subjective, personal, or reflective tone. Third-person narratives can have a range of tones, but they might lean towards being more objective, descriptive, or dramatic.
• Content: The subject matter itself can often indicate the tone. A text about a tragic event is likely to have a serious, melancholic, or respectful tone. A text about a funny incident will probably have a humorous or light-hearted tone.

By carefully analyzing these elements, you can determine the tone of a text. In your own writing, you can use these indicators to check if you're maintaining the desired tone consistently throughout your work.

Tone Writing Exercise: Identify the tone in each of the following sentences

Let’s do a little writing exercise by identifying the tones of the following example sentences.

• “The participants in the study displayed a significant improvement in their cognitive abilities post intervention.”
• “Hey guys, just popping in to share some cool updates from our team!”
• “The consequences of climate change are dire and demand immediate attention from world leaders.”
• “I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.”
• “Despite the challenges we've faced this year, I'm confident that brighter days are just around the corner.”
• “Given the state of the economy, it seems unlikely that we'll see any significant improvements in the near future.”
• “No mountain is too high to climb if you believe in your ability to reach the summit.”
• “As she stepped onto the cobblestone streets of the ancient city, the echoes of its rich history whispered in her ears.”
• “Oh, you're late again? What a surprise.”
• “The methodology of this research hinges upon a quantitative approach, using statistical analysis to derive meaningful insights from the collected data.”

Give them a try. I’ll share the answers at the end!

Tone Versus Voice in Writing

Tone and voice in writing are related but distinct concepts:

Voice is the unique writing style or personality of the writing that makes it distinct to a particular author. It's a combination of the author's syntax, word choice, rhythm, and other stylistic elements.

Voice tends to remain consistent across different works by the same author, much like how people have consistent speaking voices.

For example, the voice in Ernest Hemingway's work is often described as minimalist and straightforward, while the voice in Virginia Woolf's work is more stream-of-consciousness and introspective.

Tone , on the other hand, refers to the attitude or emotional qualities of the writing. It can change based on the subject matter, the intended audience, and the purpose of the writing.

In the same way that someone's tone of voice can change based on what they're talking about or who they're talking to, the tone of a piece of writing can vary. Using the earlier examples, a work by Hemingway might have a serious, intense tone, while a work by Woolf might have a reflective, introspective tone.

So, while an author's voice remains relatively consistent, the tone they use can change based on the context of the writing.

Tone and voice are two elements of writing that are closely related and often work hand in hand to create a writer's unique style. Here's how they can be used together:

• Consistency: A consistent voice gives your writing a distinctive personality, while a consistent tone helps to set the mood or attitude of your piece. Together, they create a uniform feel to your work that can make your writing instantly recognizable to your readers.
• Audience Engagement: Your voice can engage readers on a fundamental level by giving them a sense of who you are or the perspective from which you're writing. Your tone can then enhance this engagement by setting the mood, whether it's serious, humorous, formal, informal, etc., depending on your audience and the purpose of your writing.
• Clarity of Message: Your voice can express your unique perspective and values, while your tone can help convey your message clearly by fitting the context. For example, a serious tone in an academic research paper or a casual, friendly tone in a personal blog post helps your audience understand your purpose and message.
• Emotional Impact: Voice and tone together can create emotional resonance. A distinctive voice can make readers feel connected to you as a writer, while the tone can evoke specific emotions that align with your content. For example, a melancholic tone in a heartfelt narrative can elicit empathy from the reader, enhancing the emotional impact of your story.
• Versatility: While maintaining a consistent overall voice, you can adjust your tone according to the specific piece you're writing. This can show your versatility as a writer. For example, you may have a generally conversational voice but use a serious tone for an important topic and a humorous tone for a lighter topic.

Remember, your unique combination of voice and tone is part of what sets you apart as a writer. It's worth taking the time to explore and develop both.

The Role of Tone in Different Types of Writing

Just as different audiences require different tones of voice, so does your tone change depending on the audience of your writing. 

Tone in Creative Writing

Tone plays a crucial role in creative writing, shaping the reader's experience and influencing their emotional response to the work. Here are some considerations for how to use tone in creative writing:

• Create Atmosphere: Tone is a powerful tool for creating a specific atmosphere or mood in a story. For example, a suspenseful tone can create a sense of tension and anticipation, while a humorous tone can make a story feel light-hearted and entertaining.
• Character Development: The tone of a character's dialogue and thoughts can reveal a lot about their personality and emotional state. A character might speak in a sarcastic tone, revealing a cynical worldview, or their internal narrative might be melancholic, indicating feelings of sadness or regret.
• Plot Development: The tone can shift with the plot, reflecting changes in the story's circumstances. An initially optimistic tone might become increasingly desperate as a situation worsens, or a serious tone could give way to relief and joy when a conflict is resolved.
• Theme Expression: The overall tone of a story can reinforce its themes. For instance, a dark and somber tone could underscore themes of loss and grief, while a hopeful and inspirational tone could enhance themes of resilience and personal growth.
• Reader Engagement: A well-chosen tone can engage the reader's emotions, making them more invested in the story. A dramatic, high-stakes tone can keep readers on the edge of their seats, while a romantic, sentimental tone can make them swoon.
• Style and Voice: The tone is part of the writer's unique voice and style. The way you blend humor and seriousness, or the balance you strike between formal and informal language, can give your work a distinctive feel.

In creative writing, it's important to ensure that your tone is consistent, unless a change in tone is intentional and serves a specific purpose in your story. An inconsistent or shifting tone can be jarring and confusing for the reader. To check your tone, try reading your work aloud, as this can make shifts in tone more evident.

Tone in Academic Writing

In academic writing, the choice of tone is crucial as it helps to establish credibility and convey information in a clear, unambiguous manner. Here are some aspects to consider about tone in academic writing:

• Formal: Academic writing typically uses a formal tone, which means avoiding colloquialisms, slang, and casual language. This helps to maintain a level of professionalism and seriousness that is appropriate for scholarly work. For instance, instead of saying “experts think this is really bad,” a more formal phrasing would be, “scholars have identified significant concerns regarding this matter.”
• Objective: The tone in academic writing should usually be objective, rather than subjective. This means focusing on facts, evidence, and logical arguments rather than personal opinions or emotions. For example, instead of saying “I believe that climate change is a major issue,” an objective statement would be, “Research indicates that climate change poses substantial environmental risks.”
• Precise: Precision is crucial in academic writing, so the tone should be specific and direct. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that might confuse the reader or obscure the meaning of your argument. For example, instead of saying “several studies,” specify the exact number of studies or name the authors if relevant.
• Respectful: Even when critiquing other scholars' work, it's essential to maintain a respectful tone. This means avoiding harsh or judgmental language and focusing on the intellectual content of the argument rather than personal attacks.
• Unbiased: Strive for an unbiased tone by presenting multiple perspectives on the issue at hand, especially when it's a subject of debate in the field. This shows that you have a comprehensive understanding of the topic and that your conclusions are based on a balanced assessment of the evidence.
• Scholarly: A scholarly tone uses discipline-specific terminology and acknowledges existing research on the topic. However, it's also important to explain any complex or specialized terms for the benefit of readers who may not be familiar with them.

By choosing an appropriate tone, you can ensure that your academic writing is professional, credible, and accessible to your intended audience. Remember, the tone can subtly influence how your readers perceive your work and whether they find your arguments convincing.

Tone in Business Writing

In business writing, your tone should be professional, clear, and respectful. Here are some aspects to consider:

• Professional and Formal: Just like in academic writing, business writing typically uses a professional and formal tone. This ensures that the communication is taken seriously and maintains an air of professionalism. However, remember that “formal” doesn't necessarily mean “stiff” or “impersonal”—a little warmth can make your writing more engaging.
• Clear and Direct: Your tone should also be clear and direct. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstanding, which can have negative consequences in a business setting. Make sure your main points are obvious and not hidden in jargon or overly complex sentences.
• Respectful: Respect is crucial in business communication. Even when addressing difficult topics or delivering bad news, keep your tone courteous and considerate. This fosters a positive business relationship and shows that you value the other party.
• Concise: In the business world, time is often at a premium. Therefore, a concise tone—saying what you need to say as briefly as possible—is often appreciated. This is where the minimalist tone can shine.
• Persuasive: In many situations, such as a sales pitch or a negotiation, a persuasive tone is beneficial. This involves making your points convincingly, showing enthusiasm where appropriate, and using language that motivates the reader to act.
• Neutral: In situations where you're sharing information without trying to persuade or express an opinion, a neutral tone is best. For example, when writing a business report or summarizing meeting minutes, stick to the facts without letting personal bias influence your language.

By adapting your tone based on these guidelines and the specific context, you can ensure your business writing is effective and appropriate.

Tone in Online Writing

Online writing can vary greatly depending on the platform and purpose of the content. However, some common considerations for tone include:

• Conversational and Informal: Online readers often prefer a more conversational, informal tone that mimics everyday speech. This can make your writing feel more personal and relatable. Blogs, social media posts, and personal websites often employ this tone.
• Engaging and Enthusiastic: With so much content available online, an engaging and enthusiastic tone can help grab readers' attention and keep them interested. You can express your passion for a topic, ask questions, or use humor to make your writing more lively and engaging.
• Clear and Direct: Just like in business and academic writing, clarity is key in online writing. Whether you're writing a how-to article, a product description, or a blog post, make your points clearly and directly to help your readers understand your message.
• Descriptive and Vivid: Because online writing often involves storytelling or explaining complex ideas, a descriptive tone can be very effective. Use vivid language and sensory details to help readers visualize what you're talking about.
• Authoritative: If you're writing content that's meant to inform or educate, an authoritative tone can help establish your credibility. This involves demonstrating your knowledge and expertise on the topic, citing reliable sources, and presenting your information in a confident, professional manner.
• Optimistic and Inspirational: Particularly for motivational blogs, self-help articles, or other content meant to inspire, an optimistic tone can be very effective. This involves looking at the positive side of things, encouraging readers, and offering hope.

Remember, the best tone for online writing depends heavily on your audience, purpose, and platform. Always keep your readers in mind, and adapt your tone to suit their needs and expectations.

How to Master Tone

Tone isn't as hard as you think.

If you've ever said something with feeling in your voice or with a certain attitude, you know how it works.

And while mastering the word choice, syntax, and other techniques to use tone effectively can be tricky, just by choosing a tone, being aware of tone in your writing, and making a concerted effort to practice it will add depth and style to your writing, heightening both the meaning and your audiences enjoyment.

Remember, we all have tone. You just need to practice  using  it. Happy writing!

What tone do you find yourself using the most in your writing ? Let us know in the comments .

Here are two writing exercises for you to practice tone.

Exercise 1: Identify the Tone

Using the ten identification examples above, write out the tones for each of the examples. Then use this answer guide to check your work.

• Pessimistic
• Inspirational

How many did you get correctly? Let me know in the comments .

Exercise 2: Choose One Tone and Write

Choose one of the tones above, set a timer for fifteen minutes, then free write in that tone. 

When your time's up, post your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop (and if you’re not a member yet, you can join here ), and share feedback with a few other writers. 

Join 100 Day Book

Enrollment closes May 14 at midnight!

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

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WSJ Bestselling author, founder of The Write Practice, and book coach with 14+ years experience. Joe Bunting specializes in working with Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, How To, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, and Self Help books. Sound like a good fit for you?

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Tone Definition

What is tone? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance, an editorial in a newspaper that described its subject as "not even having the guts to do the job himself," has a tone that is both informal and critical.

Some additional key details about tone:

• All pieces of writing, even letters and official documents, have a tone. A neutral, official tone is still a tone.
• The tone of a piece of writing may change over the course of a text to produce different effects.
• Tone and mood are not the same. Tone has to do with the attitude of the author or the person speaking, whereas mood is how the work makes the reader feel.
• The author's intentions, emotions, and personal ideas about the theme or subject matter often reveal themselves in the piece's tone.

How to Pronounce Tone

Here's how to pronounce tone:  tohn

Tone Explained

It is always possible to describe the way that a writer uses language. Therefore, every piece of writing has a tone. Even when a writer's aim is to use completely neutral language—as is often the case in scientific papers or investigative journalism—the language still sounds a certain way, whether it's "scientific," "journalistic," "formal," "professional," or even "mechanical." The way a writer makes use of tone can tell you a lot about the writer's attitude or relationship toward their subject matter and what they are trying to say about it, as well as the effect they are trying to create for their reader.

Here's just a partial list of words that are commonly used to talk about tone, with examples of the types of writing they might be used to describe:

• A particularly stirring campaign speech
• The Declaration of Independence
• Maya Angelou's famous poem, "Still I Rise"
• A sappy love poem
• An over-the-top television sermon
• A wordy letter of apology
• A know-it-all at a cocktail party
• The comments section of almost any YouTube video
• A speech made by a boastful or proud character
• A speech at a funeral
• A murder mystery
• A novel about someone's struggles with depression
• An article in the newspaper The Onion
• A work of  parody  like Don Quixote
• A  satire , like many skits on SNL
• A stand-up comedy routine
• A play like Shakespeare's As You Like It
• A TV show like Seinfeld or Friends
• A Dr. Seuss Book
• A wedding speech
• A friendly joke
• An essay you'd write for school
• A dense work of political theory
• An article analyzing a political event
• A letter from the IRS
• A scientific paper
• Instructions on how to assemble furniture

The tone of a piece of writing depends on a confluence of different factors, including:

• The connotation  of the words used: Are they positive or negative? What associations do the words bring to mind?
• The diction , or word choice: Are there lots of thou's and thine's? Does the writer use slang? Are the words long and technical, or short and childish?
• The use of figurative language :  Is there a lot of metaphor, hyperbole, or alliteration? Does the language sound lofty and poetic?
• The mood : How does the language make you feel as the reader? This can reveal a lot about the tone of the piece.

All of these things work together to determine the tone of a piece of writing.

The Difference Between Tone and Mood

The words "tone" and " mood " are often used interchangeably, but the two terms actually have different meanings.

• Tone is the attitude or general character of a piece of writing and is often related to the attitude of the writer or speaker.
• Mood refers specifically to the effect a piece of writing has on the reader .  Mood is how a piece of writing makes you feel. 

While tone and mood are distinct literary devices, they are often closely related. For example, it wouldn't be unusual for a poem with a somber tone to also have a somber mood—i.e., to make the reader feel somber as well. And as we explained above, a journalist who makes a jab at a politician might be conveying how they feel about their subject (using a critical tone) while also trying to influence their readers to feel similarly—i.e., to create a  mood of anger or outrage.

Tone Examples

Since every text has a tone, there are essentially endless examples of tone. The examples below illustrate different types of tone. 

Tone in U.A. Fanthorpe's "Not my Best Side"

The poem "Not my Best Side" by U.A. Fanthorpe has a lighthearted and ironic   tone. The poem concerns the painting  Saint George and the Dragon  by Paolo Uccello, and pokes fun at the way the various characters are portrayed in the painting—the dragon, the maiden, and the knight who is supposedly rescuing her. Fanthorpe creates a contrast between her modern, colloquial way of speaking and the medieval subject matter of her poem. Using colloquial words like "sexy" and phrases like "if you know what I mean," Fanthorpe creates a lighthearted, conversational tone. But this conversational tone also has the effect of imbuing the poem with a tone of  irony  because it is used to describe the unlikely scenario of a maiden falling in love with a dragon.

It's hard for a girl to be sure if She wants to be rescued. I mean, I quite Took to the dragon. It's nice to be Liked, if you know what I mean. He was So nicely physical, with his claws And lovely green skin, and that sexy tail

Tone in Milton's "Lycidas"

The poem "Lycidas" by John Milton has a mournful   tone. The poem was inspired by the untimely death of Milton's friend, who drowned. To express his grief, and set the sorrowful and mournful tone, Milton uses words and phrases with negative  connotations , like, "watery bier" (or "tomb"), "parching wind" and "melodious tear."

For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime, Young lycidas, and hath not left his peer. Who would not sing for Lycidas? he knew Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the meed of some melodious tear.

Tone in Flaubert's  Madame Bovary

In many passages in Gustave Flaubert's  Madame Bovary , Flaubert's own cynicism about romance shines through the third-person narration to imbue the work with a tone of cynicism. Bored by her husband and desperate for a passionate love affair like the sort she reads about in romance novels, Emma Bovary gets involved with a notorious womanizer. Flaubert highlights Emma's foolishness for falling for such an obvious hack, who sees her as no different from any other mistress:

Emma was just like any other mistress; and the charm of novelty, falling down slowly like a dress, exposed only the eternal monotony of passion, always the same forms and the same language. He did not distinguish, this man of such great expertise, the differences of sentiment beneath the sameness of their expression.

Flaubert sets the cynical tone in part by describing, using figurative language , how the charm of novelty, for Madame Bovary's lover, fell down "slowly like a dress," suggesting that what she experiences as romance, her lover experiences only as an extended prelude to sex.

What's the Function of Tone in Literature?

First and foremost, tone clues readers into the essence and the purpose of what they're reading. It wouldn't make sense to use a wordy, poetic tone to write a simple set of directions, just like it wouldn't make sense to use a dry, unfeeling tone when writing a love poem. Rather, writers set the tone of their work to match not only the content of their writing, but also to suit the purpose they intend for it to serve, whether that is to convey information clearly, to make people laugh, to lavish praises on someone, or something else. Additionally, tone can serve the following purposes:

• For example, a biography of Bill Clinton might have a critical tone if the author has critical views of the former president and what he stood for, or it might have an admiring tone if the author was a staunch Clinton supporter.
• If a writer wants their readers to feel upset, he or she might use words with certain connotations to create a gloomy tone.
• Likewise, if a writer wants to create an informal tone, he or she might make use of colloquialisms , slang terms, and everyday language to make the reader feel like their familiar or their equal.

Simply put, establishing the tone of a work is important because it helps writers show readers what the work is trying to accomplish, and what attitude the work takes toward its own subject matter.

Other Helpful Tone Resources

• Wikipedia Page on Tone in Literature : A helpful overview of tone and its usage.
• A Definition of Tone : A definition of tone that includes a short overview of the difference between tone and mood.
• List of Poetic Tones : A handy chart listing a slew of tones commonly found in poetry, and all other types of literature.

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Scholarly Voice: Tone

Tone refers to the writer's voice in a written work. It is what the reader or hearer might perceive as the writer's attitude, bias, or personality. Many academic writers mistake a scholarly tone for dull, boring language or a mixture of jargon and multisyllabic, "intelligent-sounding" words. Academic writing, however, does not need to be complicated nor lacking in style (see APA 7, Section 4.7); instead, it can be both engaging and clear.

You should speak as an objective social scientist. This means that everything you say must be unbiased , scholarly , and supported by evidence . According to APA (2020), differences in research "should be presented in a professional, noncombative manner" (p. 114).

• Avoid making broad generalizations ("always," "never").
• Avoid using over-sweeping adjectives ("outstanding," "obvious").
• Avoid using adverbs ("really," "clearly").
• Avoid qualifiers ("a little," "definitely").
• Avoid emotional language ("It is heartbreaking that so many are starving").
• Avoid inflammatory language ("Smith's study was terrible, sickening, sad").

Avoid slang, text-message or SMS spellings, clichés, and contractions. Phrases like "digging sports," "wicked cool," "maxed out," "clear the air," "heading south," "the cat's out of the bag," "thru the roof," "hear their spin on it," "so to speak," and "in the hands of" have no place in academic writing. These casual expressions may be appropriate in personal emails, but they are inappropriate in research papers. Use standard US English spelling for all words, and if you are not sure if a word is a slang term, look it up in the dictionary.

Take a look at this example. The first paragraph is written in an informal way. The second is revised to keep a formal tone:

When I got my students to think science was wicked cool, their test scores went through the roof! When I asked for their spin on their improvement, they just said the test felt like a piece of cake to them after I had implemented the new curriculum changes.

Revised to be more formal:

When I was able to engage my students and get them interested in science, their test scores improved significantly. I asked a few students why they thought the scores had improved, and they admitted that the test seemed much easier because of the new curriculum.

Maintain a formal scholarly voice by avoiding colloquialisms. For more information, read Nathan's blog posts on cliches and slang .

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Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

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What Is Tone In Writing?

Learn More With This Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

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• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In composition , tone is the expression of a writer's attitude toward subject , audience , and self.

Tone is primarily conveyed in writing through diction , point of view , syntax , and level of formality.

Etymology : From the Latin, "string, a stretching"

"In Writing: A Manual for the Digital Age," David Blakesley and Jeffrey L. Hoogeveen make a simple distinction between style and tone: " Style refers to the overall flavor and texture created by the writer's word choices and sentence structures . Tone is an attitude toward the events of the story—humorous, ironic, cynical, and so on." In practice, there's a close connection between style and tone.

Tone and Persona

In Thomas S. Kane's "The New Oxford Guide to Writing," "If persona is the complex personality implicit in the writing, tone is a web of feelings stretched throughout an essay , feelings from which our sense of the persona emerges. Tone has three main strands: the writer's attitude toward subject, reader , and self.

"Each of these determinants of tone is important, and each has many variations. Writers may be angry about a subject or amused by it or discuss it dispassionately. They may treat readers as intellectual inferiors to be lectured (usually a poor tactic) or as friends with whom they are talking. Themselves they may regard very seriously or with an ironic or an amused detachment (to suggest only three of numerous possibilities). Given all these variables, the possibilities of tone are almost endless.

"Tone, like persona, is unavoidable. You imply it in the words you select and in how you arrange them."

Tone and Diction

According to W. Ross Winterowd In his book, "The Contemporary Writer," "The main factor in tone is diction , the words that the writer chooses. For one kind of writing, an author may choose one type of vocabulary, perhaps slang , and for another, the same writer may choose an entirely different set of words... "Even such small matters as contractions make a difference in tone, the contracted verbs being less formal:

It is strange that the professor had not assigned any papers for three weeks. It's strange that the professor hadn't assigned any papers for three weeks."

Tone in Business Writing

Philip C. Kolin reminds us of how important it is to get the tone just right in business correspondence in "Successful Writing at Work." He says, " Tone in writing...can range from formal and impersonal (a scientific report) to informal and personal (an email to a friend or a how-to article for consumers). Your tone can be unprofessionally sarcastic or diplomatically agreeable.

"Tone, like style , is indicated in part by the words you choose...

"The tone of your writing is especially important in occupational writing because it reflects the image you project to your readers and thus determines how they will respond to you, your work, and your company. Depending on your tone, you can appear sincere and intelligent or angry and uninformed... The wrong tone in a letter or a proposal might cost you a customer."

Sentence Sounds

The following examples are from Dona Hickey's book, "Developing a Written Voice" where she quotes Lawrence Roger Thompson who was quoting Robert Frost. "Robert Frost believed sentence tones (which he called 'sound of sense') are 'already there—living in the cave of the mouth.' He considered them 'real cave things: they were before words were' (Thompson 191). To write a 'vital sentence,' he believed, 'we must write with the ear on the speaking voice' (Thompson 159). 'The ear is the only true writer and the only true reader. Eye readers miss the best part. The sentence sound often says more than the words' (Thompson 113). According to Frost:

Only when we are making sentences so shaped [by spoken sentence tones] are we truly writing. A sentence must convey a meaning by tone of voice and it must be the particular meaning the writer intended. The reader must have no choice in the matter. The tone of voice, and its meaning must be in black and white on the page (Thompson 204).

"In writing, we can't indicate body language , but we can control how sentences are heard. And it is through our arrangement of words into sentences, one after another, that we can approximate some of the intonation in speech that tells our readers not only information about the world but also how we feel about it, who we are in relationship to it, and who we think our readers are in relationship to us and the message we want to deliver."

Novelist Samuel Butler once said, "We are not won by arguments that we can analyze but by the tone and temper, by the manner which is the man himself."

Blakesley, David and Jeffrey L. Hoogeveen. Writing: A Manual for the Digital Age. Cengage, 2011.

Hickey, Dona. Developing a Written Voice . Mayfield, 1992.

Kane, Thomas S. The New Oxford Guide to Writing . Oxford University Press, 1988.

Kolin, Philip C. Successful Writing at Work, Concise Edition . 4th ed., Cengage, 2015.

Winterowd, W. Ross. The Contemporary Writer: A Practical Rhetoric. 2nd ed., Harcourt, 1981.

• Definition and Examples of Rhetorical Stance
• Thesis: Definition and Examples in Composition
• The Writer's Voice in Literature and Rhetoric
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Definition of Tone

Tone is a literary device that reflects the writer’s attitude toward the subject matter or audience of a literary work. By conveying this attitude through tone, the writer creates a particular relationship with the reader that, in turn, influences the intention and meaning of the written words. However, though the writer’s tone may reflect their personal attitude or opinion, this literary device may also strictly apply to convey the attitudes and feelings of a certain character or narrator . Therefore, it’s essential for readers to look closely at the literary choices made by the writer so as not to unfairly assign a tone to them and to interpret tone judiciously.

Writers use several techniques to convey tone, including word choice, figurative language , punctuation , and even sentence structure. This helps to establish a narrative voice so that the reader not only understands the words as they are presented in a work but also their meanings, as intended by the writer, character, or narrator. A defined tone allows readers to connect with the writer and/or their narrators and characters.

For example, in his short story “The Tell-Tale Heart,” Edgar Allan Poe utilizes tone as a literary device to convey the way the narrator feels about the old man and his eye.

His eye was like the eye of a vulture, the eye of one of those terrible birds that watch and wait while an animal dies, and then fall upon the dead body and pull it to pieces to eat it.

The tone of this passage reveals that the narrator fears and is distressed by the old man’s eye. This is conveyed by Poe’s use of a vulture as a figurative comparison and the violent imagery associated with the remaining wording. As a result of this defined tone in describing the old man’s eye, the reader understands the narrator’s simultaneous feelings of revulsion and fascination. This establishes the narrator’s attitude and motive for the reader, which helps to reinforce the actions and events of the story .

Common Examples of Tone Used by Writers

Just as tone of voice can express sentiment and emotion in speaking, tone can do the same in writing. Here are some common examples of tone used by writers to convey feeling:

• pessimistic
• inspirational
• sympathetic
• anticipating

Famous Examples of Tone in Movie Lines

One of the challenges that writers face regarding tone as a literary device is how to ensure that the reader “hears” the narrative voice properly. Without the natural inflection, emphasis, etc., of the human voice, tone can be difficult to convey in writing. In contrast , movie lines allow actors to utilize tone to an extent that it sometimes overshadows the words being spoken. Here are some examples of tone in lines from famous movies:

• “Go ahead, make my day.”  Sudden Impac t
• “That is so fetch.”  Mean Girls
• “May the Force be with you.”  Star Wars
• “Just keep swimming.”  Finding Nemo
• “I still believe in heroes .”  Avengers
• “There’s no place like home.”  The Wizard of Oz
• “You can’t handle the truth!”  A Few Good Men
• “I’m the king of the world!”  Titanic
• “To infinity and beyond!”  Toy Story
• “What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss?”  No Country for Old Men

Difference Between Tone and Mood

As literary devices , tone and mood may seem interchangeable. Though they are similar, they are independent of each other and serve different purposes in a literary work. Tone signifies the point of view of the writer, whereas mood serves to convey the atmosphere of a written work and its overall feeling or vibe. Writers rely on figurative language and other literary devices to evoke mood in the reader, whereas dialogue and descriptors are typically used to convey tone.

Many of the words used to describe a literary work’s tone can also be used to describe mood, such as passionate, wistful, nostalgic, etc. In narrative work, a character’s tone is conveyed to the reader through specific dialogue and descriptions of the character’s body language, facial expression, and so on. Mood, however, does not always align with the tone expressed by a writer, narrator, or character. For example, a writer may set a mournful mood through a work’s genre , setting , context clues, and plot details; yet, certain characters may be unaware of the sad circumstances and their dialogue may reflect a completely different tone.

Three Types of Tone: Non-assertive, Aggressive, and Assertive

When a literary piece just presents facts and does not show any information using persuasive or convincing word choice, it is a nonassertive tone. However, when it attacks the position of the other party or persons, using words, showing aggression and anger, it means the tone is aggressive. And if there is no sign of anger, and the expression is calm, peaceful, and somewhat pacifist, it means the tone is assertive. Even such tones could be non-assertive aggressive, confused, assertive aggressive, and so on. In short, it depends on the word choice and the readers’ perception.

Use of Tone in Sentences

• You are a terrible liar! (Aggressive tone)
• If you don’t do what I say, I’ll beat you to the pulp. (Aggressive tone)
• You have to pick your legos from the floor and put them in the basket. So, when I come back, I don’t want to see anything lying around. (Assertive tone)
• I don’t really like the way you talk to me. I’ll thank you for your manners. (Assertive tone)
• I’m sorry you lost your ticket. Kindly get off the bus and get another one. (Non-assertive tone)
• Thanks for not answering my call. I was at the hospital for your sister and she needed you. A great brother you are! (non-assertive tone)

Examples of Tone in Literature

As a literary device, tone is an important aspect of the narrative voice of a literary work. This allows the writer to inform the reader and communicate attitudes and feelings that might otherwise be limited in conveying with just words. Here are some examples of tone in literature:

Example 1: A Modest Proposal  by Jonathan Swift

A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone , the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter .

Swift’s “proposal” that poverty in early 18th century Ireland could be mitigated by butchering the children of poor Irish families and selling them as food to wealthy English citizens is intended as satire , and the narrator’s tone reflects this. Swift presents his satire as an economic treatise with the appearance of a formal, distant, and systematic tone. However, the underlying tone of Swift’s writing reflects that of disillusionment, irony , and even provocation toward the reader.

In this literary work, the emotionally distant and acerbic wording of Swift serves to enhance the writer’s intense criticism regarding the legal and economic exploitation of Ireland by England. In this way, Swift’s “proposal” is meant to evoke strong emotion among readers and thereby invoke a call to action as a result. As a literary device, the tone is effective in this work in its impact on the reader of shock and discomfort as a means of bringing about societal awareness and change.

Example 2: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.

In this passage from  The Alchemist , Coelho utilizes descriptive and figurative language to establish a tone of wonder and awe at the metaphysical relationships in the universe. By asserting to the reader that “we” are metaphorical travelers that are all part of the infinite cosmos, Coelho is able to convey the connection humans have to all that has existed and all that will exist. This allows the reader to feel connections with the writer’s words, their meanings, and the universe itself through the literary work. In addition, the inclusion of the image that human interaction is a momentary and temporary encounter “to meet, to love, to share” implies that people’s lives are brief and precious against the scope of the universe and a parenthetical interruption of a larger narrative. This calls for the reader to reflect on how they choose to impact, even briefly, the people and world around them.

Writers often find it challenging to express universal meaning in a literary work with denotative and connotative wording. In this passage, Coelho utilizes tone as a literary device to convey a universality to human existence as it relates to time and space. This is appealing to the reader in the sense that it conveys belonging and connection to all things while also acknowledging the existence and importance of the individual at momentary points along the continuum.

Example 3: Beloved by Toni Morrison

And in all those escapes he could not help being astonished by the beauty of this land that was not his. He hid in its breast, fingered its earth for food, clung to its banks to lap water and tried not to love it. On nights when the sky was personal, weak with the weight of its own stars, he made himself not love it. Its graveyards and its low-lying rivers. Or just a house – solitary under a chinaberry tree; maybe a mule tethered and the light hitting its hide just so. Anything could stir him and he tried hard not to love it.

In this passage of Morrison’s novel , the narrator’s description of Paul D’s conflicting feelings towards the American landscape in which he lives sets a significant tone for the reader that reflects his inner pain. Paul D is a former slave, and readers of the novel would not expect his character to feel anything but animosity towards the people and land that have enslaved him. However, as the narrator informs the reader, Paul D internally struggles to “not love” America for its beauty and, essentially, its broken promises of freedom, liberty, and equality .

By incorporating a maternal image in this passage of Paul D hiding, fingering, and clinging to America for survival, Morrison evokes in the reader the feeling that America has “birthed” Paul D and wants to care for him. However, the reason he can’t embrace and love America as a motherland is because of the hypocrisy in its treatment and rejection of him. The tone of Morrison’s words conveys Paul D’s deep conflict and struggle between his simultaneous attachment to the American landscape and what it claims to represent and resentment of the reality and hypocrisy of slavery. By using this literary device, Morrison is able to connect through the narrative voice with readers who may not be able to otherwise understand the complexity and anguish of Paul D’s feelings.

 Example 4: The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini

“She would have suffered. My family would have never accepted her as an equal. You don’t order someone to polish your shoes one day and call them ‘sister’ the next.” He looked at me. “You know, you can tell me anything you want, Amir jan. Anytime.”

These lines from the novel of Khalid Hosseini, an Afghani, show its tone serious yet biased. The narrator is clear that his family is biased toward the Hazara, a minority Shia community in Afghanistan.

Example 5: The Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected.

These lines show the satiric tone of Jonathan Swift . Although it seems a simple suggestion, the choice of the word shows that he thinks that the aged, diseased, and the maimed are just an “incumbrance.”

Synonyms of Tone

  Tone does not have close synonyms used in literature. However, generally, mood, quality, feel, style , air, note, attitude, spirit, character, temper, flavor, and tenor could be interchangeably used.

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What is Tone? Definition, with Examples

by Fija Callaghan

Encouraging readers to Feel Things is one of the greatest aspirations of writing. When crafted well, a book can make us feel hope, fear, despair, indignation, or joy. And one of the best literary devices to achieve that is tone—the overall emotional sound of your novel.

But what is tone, exactly, and how do we incorporate it into our work? Let’s look at what writing tone means and how you can find the right one for your story, along with some helpful examples of tone in literature.

What is tone in writing?

Tone in writing is the overall mood or attitude conveyed by the narrator’s word choice in a story. A narrator’s tone can be formal or informal, positive or negative, lighthearted or dramatic. By using the right tone, you can convey moments of tension, relief, or anticipation to your readers and make them feel more invested in your story.

In general, your story will have an overall author’s tone that supports the theme (we’ll talk about theme more below), but each individual scene will also have a distinctive tone depending on what’s happening in the plot.

Why is tone important in a story?

Tone helps engage with your target audience and elicit a particular feeling and emotion in the reader. In business writing, a more formal tone can help you present an organized, confident attitude. In storytelling, a casual or playful tone can help you bring your reader closer to your characters. Because the reader can’t see the writer’s facial expression or body language when they’re conveying an idea, the author’s word choice and writing style is essential.

You can also choose a certain tone to help underline your story’s theme. For example, a tragedy might favor a melancholy and introspective tone, while a romantic comedy might favor cheerful and humorous tones. By mindfully choosing the right tone for your story, you can gently encourage the reader to feel and experience your story in a certain way.

What’s the difference between tone and mood?

Tone and mood are closely related, but they’re not quite the same thing. In writing, tone reveals the narrator’s attitude as conveyed by their specific word choice. For instance, you could show your characters attending a party and have the tone be excited, depressed, sarcastic, frightened, or hopeful. These communicate the way the narrator feels about the situation.

Mood is the overall feeling of the scene or story as a whole. Tone plays a large role in conveying the mood of a scene, but you can also enhance a story’s mood with setting and sensory imagery. For example, you could use your party’s setting to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations your characters are experiencing. Does the red light falling on the door look like “fallen petals” or “a smear of blood”? How an author describes the same image in different ways will enhance the overall mood of your book.

To recap: tone specifically refers to the choice of language; mood refers to the overall feeling of the entire scene. We’ll look at some examples of tone below.

What’s the difference between tone and theme?

We’ve talked a bit about how tone influences theme—but what exactly is the difference?

Theme is the overall message behind your story. It might be something like “love conquers all,” or “violence only leads to more violence.” Everything in your narrative, including mood and tone, support this underlying message.

If your theme is “love conquers all,” your tone might be optimistic, hopeful, or inspirational. If your theme is “violence only leads to more violence,” your theme might be pessimistic or persuasive.

Types of tone you might see in a story

Any adjective you can apply to someone’s voice can be used to describe tone. Think about how your best friend’s voice might sound when they tell you about their weekend. Cheerful? Humorous? What about when an authority figure tells you you’ve done something wrong? Do they sound formal, arrogant, or pessimistic?

The type of relationship you want to have with your reader, and the type of relationship your characters have with each other, will inform the different tones you use throughout your narrative. Here are some of the most common tone words you’ll see across literature:

Which tones do you recognize from your own writing style?

Examples of tone in literature

Some of your favorite books probably use tones that stay with you for a long time, even if you don’t consciously recognize it. Let’s look at some effective examples of tone in literature.

1. Remarkably Bright Creatures , by Shelby Van Pelt

Even the short journey back to my tank saps my strength. I am weakening by the day. Still carrying the heavy ring, I slip into my den and rest, as I will need stamina for my next trip. The last one.

The tone in this scene is fearful, pessimistic, and determined. The narrator—in this case an ageing octopus—uses a more formal tone that conveys his intelligence and old age. Keywords like “strength,” “weakening,” and “stamina” convey how deeply rooted in the body this moment is. The writer chose mostly short sentences and simple language to illustrate how much effort each moment takes.

2. Anansi Boys , by Neil Gaiman

He sang of names and words, of the building blocks beneath the real, the worlds that make worlds, the truths beneath the way things are; he sang of appropriate ends and just conclusions for those who would have hurt him and his. He sang the world. It was a good song, and it was his song. Sometimes it had words, and sometimes it didn’t have any words at all.

The tone in this scene is full of hope. The author uses a mix of longer sentences and shorter sentences to create a varied, engaging rhythm. Unlike the previous example, this scene uses tones that are optimistic and inspirational to give the novel a happy ending.

3. “Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost uses a touching and melancholy tone in one of his most famous poems. The tone is deeply reverential, as the speaker treats the forest a little like a temple. However, he needs to fulfill his life’s goals before he can lay down and rest.

Ways to convey tone in your writing

Now that we know more about what tone means in literature, here’s the big question: how can we master tone in our own work?

Tone in writing comes down to the author’s word choice. Let’s look at a few things to keep in mind while you’re incorporating tone into your story.

Diction refers to the specific choice of words that you use in a sentence. You can convey the same idea in different ways by adjusting the diction of your writing. For example, “How is everyone doing today?” and “’Sup y’all?” mean exactly the same thing—but the diction is different.

You can use diction to give your writing a more casual tone and make the reader feel like they can relate to the storyteller. You can also vary your diction to juxtapose one character’s tone against another, or juxtapose your main character’s dialogue against the overall tone of the story.

Syntax refers to sentence structure, or the way your words are assembled together. In the two prose examples we looked at above, you’ll notice that writers used a blend of long and short sentences with different kinds of punctuation.

In general, formal, pessimistic, or melancholy tones will use longer and more complex sentences while a cheerful or informal tone will favour shorter, snappier sentences. If your scene is starting to feel like a bit of a downer, try breaking up the sentence structure. If your scene is skimming over its potential thematic depth, try experimenting with more descriptive sentences.

Certain word choices carry inherent tones right into your narrative. In Remarkably Bright Creatures , we looked at how the author chose particular words that suited the tone she wanted to convey.

Try brainstorming a list of words that fit the tone of your narrative. For example, a hopeful tone might be associated with words like bright, forward, future, inspire, rise, overcome, morning, new, and so forth. Keep this list to one side (you might find yourself adding to it as you go), and watch out for places you might be able to incorporate your “tone” words into your writing.

An exercise for exploring creative writing tone

To experiment with tone, try writing a short scene between two people. It can be a piece of flash fiction, a vignette about two strangers, or even an existing scene from a work in progress. Then, choose three contrasting tones from the list we gave you above (or come up with new ones of your own!). For example, three contrasting tones might be cheerful, desperate, and inspirational.

Now, see if you can subtly adjust the word choices in your scene to convey it in three different ways. Can you make the same events sound cheerful and desperate with a few well-placed keywords? You might be surprised at what you discover about your characters, conflict and world by adjusting the tone of your story.

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Chapter 11: Tone and Style

11.1 Tone and Style

Tone and style, while often confused, are both important in academic writing. Style also involves word choice, coherence, conciseness, and correctness. This chapter contains sections about each of these elements of style.

Definition of Tone and Style

Tone refers to the type of language a writer uses to address their audience. When writing an email to a friend, for example, you may choose to use an informal or colloquial tone, whereas an essay for an English class requires an academic tone. Compare the two examples below:

Example 1 : The city should just start paying for our rides to school so we can use the bus money for other stuff. If this happens, people will actually start caring about how to get there. Example 2 : If the city gave students free access to public transportation, riding to school for free would not only save students money, but it would also promote the use of public transportation.

While both sentences above convey the same idea, Example 1 illustrates an informal tone or register , while Example 2 displays an academic tone. Therefore, if you were writing a persuasive essay arguing for public transportation, Example 2 would be appropriate. Example 1 should be used when an informal tone is usual, such as in an email, a message to a friend, or a dialogue between two friends in a story.

Style , on the other hand, involves more than just formality and informality. It concerns how clearly we write. Some beginning academic writers think that having wordy and complicated sentences equals having a good writing style, but that can make it difficult for readers to grasp the idea of a text. Essays should be well-written and free of errors, but first they should be clear and logical.

Here are a few useful guidelines to help develop your writing style:

• Avoid using abstract and complex terms, since they tend to confuse rather than impress readers.
• Accept that your writing will always seem clearer to yourself than to others; therefore, do not hesitate to get another reader’s opinion.
• Keep your audience in mind while writing.
• Know the expectations of an academic English writing style.
• Understand how readers decode the information they read.

Review Questions: Definition of Tone and Style

• Think about three kinds of writing you do every day. What tones do they represent?
• List three expectations for academic English writing style.

For questions 3–5, determine whether the tone and style of the sentences below are appropriate or inappropriate for a persuasive essay you are writing for your English composition class. Discuss your answers with a partner.

• The overall quality of the food served to students at school needs to improve. Even though school districts require students to spend hours in science classes learning about nutrition and balanced meals, administrators seem to ignore that the best way to teach is by example. The food most schools serve students is neither nutritious nor tasty. There is a great distance between what students learn they should eat and what they really get at school.
• The food served at school sucks. I don’t eat that stuff, and I never will. Schools should walk their talk and serve us grub that is edible, not that junk that can kill you. When we get pizza, the cheese does not even look like cheese. It looks like some weird alien substance …
• Most students and school staff seem to agree that the food served to students in school cafeterias is not good enough. Why still serve it, then? Well, the reality is that it is not that easy to change things in a school district. This fact illustrates the contradiction between what students learn in classes about health and nutrition and what they actually eat.

Word Choice

Most writers’ problems with word choice come from trying to use words they do not know. At times, you may feel the pressure to use vocabulary that is “fancy” or “smart.” However, using words whose meanings you are not sure of may change your ideas radically. Misspelling a word may also confuse readers. Before using a word you are not sure about, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I sure this is the right word to express my idea?
• To the best of my knowledge, did I spell it correctly?
• Is the word appropriate for this text and my audience?
• If I am not sure about the word I am trying to use, is there another word I can replace it with?

At times, you may also be concerned about reducing the number of mistakes in your writing to obtain a good grade. In such cases, it is best to look up the words you do not know. If you are not allowed to look them up, take a safer approach and replace them with another word you know.

In order to avoid problems with the words you choose, read often. Books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs are among the many useful reading resources that will expose you to new words and help you expand your vocabulary.

The following sections will help you make more informed decisions about choosing words for your work.

Denotation and connotation

Words may carry a denotative (literal) meaning or a connotative (figurative, implied) meaning. For example, when writing a description of the place you live in, you may call it a “home,” a “house,” or a “residence.” These three words denote or indicate the same place. However, their connotative meaning is different. “Home” refers to a warmer place than “house.” “Residence” probably carries very little feeling compared to the other two words.

Connotative meanings of words may be positive, negative, or sometimes neutral, depending on what you are writing and who you are writing for. For example, informal words that may carry a neutral or positive connotation in a letter to a friend may have a negative connotation in an argumentative essay. In this lesson and subsequent practice exercises, assume your audience expects an academic tone.

Consider both denotative and connotative meanings of a word before using it. Some words have a negative connotation and may not be appropriate for your work.

The table below contains words with both positive and negative connotations when used in a persuasive essay. Read and compare them.

Review Questions: Word Choice

Assuming your readers expect an academic tone, replace the words in bold with other words carrying more positive connotations.

• The peeps at my school voted against having makeup classes on Saturday. (Replace “The peeps at my school”)
• When I asked my li’l bro if he was hooked on video games, he went , “Of course I’m not!” (Replace “li’l bro,” “hooked on,” and “he went.”)
• She goes up to this guy and goes, like, “Who are you?” But when they got chatting , she chilled right out . (Replace “goes up to this guy and goes, like, ‘Who are you?,’ “got chatting,” and “chilled right out.”

Misspelling

Misspelling words can also cause you problems, especially if you write a word that looks similar to the one you want but has a different meaning. The best way to avoid misspellings is to become familiar with the words you often use.

You should also double-check the words suggested by the spell check application on your word processor. Although these programs catch common misspellings, they sometimes make wrong suggestions or simply miss misspelled words.

A few hints to help you avoid spelling errors:

• Make flash cards with the words you frequently use in your essays but have problems spelling. Seeing them often will help you memorize them.
• Keep a vocabulary list at the end of your notebook containing both new words and words you have a hard time spelling.

Consider this list of commonly misspelled words:

• acknowledge
• accidentally
• acknowledgment
• independence
• indispensable
• insufficient
• maintenance
• opportunity
• perseverance
• specifically
• temperament

Review Questions: Misspelling

Choose the word with the correct spelling. The words in this practice section may not be in the list provided in the Misspelling section , and you may have to use a dictionary to learn their correct spelling.

• Lack of water and fire extinguishers in the room aggravated/agravated the fire.
• Their analysis/analisis of the problem was accurate.
• My parents say that my curfew is not negociable/negotiable .
• The history teacher was irritated when she talked about the omission/omision of an important fact in the students’ exam responses.
• Lawmakers recomended/recommended the bill be changed before the final vote.

Gender Bias

Writers need to make sure they address readers in a respectful and unbiased manner. One way to do this is by carefully choosing your nouns and pronouns. For example, when you address people in general, readers will interpret the exclusive use of “he,” “him,” and “his” or “she,” “her”,  and “hers” as biased. The suggestions below will help you avoid gender bias in your essays:

• A teacher must consider the background of his students (biased).
• A teacher must consider the students’ backgrounds (unbiased).
• A student knows he must do his homework (biased).
• Students know they have to do their homework (unbiased).
• Teachers must consider the backgrounds of their students (unbiased).
• All salesmen were required to attend the meeting (biased).
• All salespeople were required to attend the meeting (unbiased).
• When a student finished his exam early, he could leave the room (biased).
• When a student finished her or his exam early, she or he could leave the room (unbiased).
• Ali likes basketball. They started playing basketball when they were eight years old.
• When a team member finishes a break, they should proceed directly to the sales floor.

When avoiding gender bias, use the strategies that best fit your personal style, but try not to overuse any one strategy.

Review Questions: Gender Bias

Rewrite the sentences below and eliminate their gender bias. Refer to the strategies given in this section.

• Each doctor will explain her own procedures.
• When you call the technician, tell him the computer broke yesterday.
• According to the guidelines, a writer needs to publish her manuscript in order to be eligible for the grant.
• If I ever meet a congressman, I will tell him how upset I am with politics at the national level.
• When a doctor wants to order gloves, she must speak to the office staff.

Sentence Order

The elements in an English sentence have a standard or canonical position. Writers should understand this order of elements because choosing to adhere to it or break it will draw readers’ attention to different elements of a sentence. The canonical order of elements in an English sentence is demonstrated in Table 11.2.

Generally, the subject is the doer or the main character, and the verb expresses the action, state, or description. Other elements may include people or things affected by the action, adverbials (references to time, place, manner, etc), and so on.

While it is true that English writing favours elements in the canonical order, this does not mean you should only write in this order. It means that this sequence should only be broken when there is a clear reason for doing so (adding emphasis, placing old information first, etc.). The canonical order is a principle and not an absolute rule of writing.

The following lessons will help you determine how to shift the order of sentence elements to write cohesive sentences and add emphasis when needed.

Review Questions: Sentence Order

Rewrite the sentences below and redistribute sentence elements according to the canonical order. (Hint: You should start new sentences with the underlined elements.)

• Finally, in a very apologetic tone, the director spoke to us.
• After running for two hours and exercising for another two at the gym last night, Rachel collapsed.
• With words of encouragement after a long and difficult year, the teacher addressed the students.

Characters and Actions

• The mayor’s analysis of the issue did not convince journalists. (Noun = analysis)
• Bob’s explanation of why he was late frustrated his wife. (Noun = explanation)
• The documentary’s description of the accident shocked viewers. (Noun = description)
• The conclusion the scientists reached was that the problem had no solution. (Noun = conclusion)

When your writing highlights important sentence elements, such as characters and actions , your sentences become clear to your readers and naturally draw their attention. Characters are sentence elements that trigger actions or events. They can be concrete (a person, animal, or thing) or abstract (an issue, a concept). Characters are usually nouns or pronouns. Actions describe what characters do or what events they trigger. Actions are expressed by verbs. These concepts are illustrated in the examples below:

Example 1 : Jack’s refusal to leave the worksite resulted in his boss’s decision to call security. Example 2 : Because Jack refused to leave the worksite, his boss decided to call security.

Consider the following differences between the sentences in Example 1 and Example 2:

• The characters of Example 1, Jack and his boss, are part of the subject, but they do not receive the main focus in the sentence. The foci lie in the words “refusal” and “decision.”
• The characters of Example 2, Jack and his boss, receive focus in the subject of each respective clause, and their actions are expressed by the verbs “refused” and “decided,” instead of in the nouns “refusal” and “decision.” Example 2 characters are aligned with their actions.

Notice that Example 1 draws readers’ attention to the abstract nouns “refusal” and “decision.” Even though it is possible to use abstract nouns as characters when you write about abstract issues, this example shows that it can be a bad decision when you use them in lieu of clear characters and their actions.

The alignment between characters and their actions makes sentences like Example 2 more powerful. It is easy to turn type-1 sentences into type-2 ones. All you need is to play a simple game of verbs and nouns, as shown in Table 11.3 in review question 1 for this section.

Old-before-new

The old-before-new principle guides how writers should sequence information in a sentence. According to this principle, they should use the information readers already know to introduce information they do not know yet. This principle helps direct readers from familiar or old information to new information. Analyze this first set of examples:

Example 1 : The science teacher spoke about environmental challenges yesterday, and she mentioned five big environmental problems countries will face in the upcoming decade. Carbon-dioxide concentration levels in the atmosphere are increasing rapidly [new information], and this was the first problem she described [old information]. Example 2 : The science teacher spoke about environmental challenges yesterday, and she mentioned five big environmental problems countries will face in the upcoming decade. She first talked about [old information] the increasing concentration levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere [new information].

The sentence in Example 2 gradually guides the writer from old to new information. Since information is logically displayed in the sentence, readers are not only able to understand it better, but they will also remember it more easily.

Here are some additional examples:

Example 3 : Yesterday, lawmakers finally approved a bill that introduces new rules and regulations to financial markets in Canada. The increase of the government’s regulatory powers [new information] was by far the most controversial of the new measures [old information]. Example 4 : Yesterday, lawmakers finally approved a bill that introduces new rules and regulations to financial markets in Canada. The most controversial measure by far [old information] was the increase of the government’s regulatory powers [new information].

Review Questions: Old-before-new

Rewrite the sentences below and apply the old-before-new principle to make them more cohesive.

• The syllabus the instructor gave students yesterday did not include dates for turning in papers or for taking exams. Although all assignments were described in detail, as well as the content for each test, the syllabus did not include when they were due.
• In her email, the principal emphasized that new attendance rules would be in place. She also told us that teachers have found it difficult to maintain lines at the cafeteria during recess, after saying the school would start notifying parents immediately every time a teacher declared a student absent.

Short-to-long

The short-to-long principle applies to how writers coordinate elements in a sentence. It suggests you list coordinated elements from short to long, as the sentences below illustrate:

Example 1 : Participants in the study noticed no differences between the first slide scientists projected on the white wall [long element] and the real painting [short element]. Example 2 : Participants in the study noticed no differences between the real painting [short element] and the first slide scientists projected on the white wall [long element].

The short-to-long principle helps you write sentences that are fluid and easy to read.

Review Questions: Short-to-long

Select the sentences below that illustrate a good use of the short-to-long principle.

• A group of five students resolved the test without any assistance, quickly and accurately.
• A group of five students resolved the test quickly, accurately, and without any assistance.
• The upset instructor decided to punish all the students. She did not distinguish between the students who had completed the assignment late and the ones who had not turned in the assignment.
• The upset instructor decided to punish all the students. He did not distinguish between the students who had not turned in the assignment and the ones who had completed the assignment late.
• Parents have not been attending the evening meetings because some work late and others cannot come to school three nights in a row.
• Parents have not been attending the evening meetings because some cannot come to school three nights in a row and others work late.

In English composition, coherence or cohesion describes how harmoniously different parts of a text connect to one another. Writers show coherence when they make sense of their ideas as a whole. They need to be cohesive on two different levels: the paragraph level and the text level.

Paragraph-level coherence

To achieve paragraph-level coherence, define your topic clearly. The topic is what you write about in a paragraph. You may have learned that the introduction of every paragraph should contain a topic sentence . If you are able to make the sentence topic about the subject , it will be easier for readers to grasp it. Whenever topic and subject align in a sentence, readers will understand what it is about more easily; as a result, your sentence will be more coherent. Compare examples 1 and 2 below:

Example 1 : The ability to learn from mistakes is not exclusively human, and it has been found by scientists in many other animal species . This ability has been detected, for example, in dogs, cats, and other domesticated species . Topic : the ability to learn from mistakes is not only human Characters : dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals

Although the sentence in Example 1 is understandable, its topic and its characters are not aligned. When they are aligned, notice how much more readable the sentence becomes:

Example 2 : Dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals can learn from mistakes, as we humans do [topic and characters]. The discovery of this behaviour in animals has led scientists to conclude it is not exclusively human.

Writers sometimes take a while to get to the topic of their sentences or paragraphs by inserting information that could easily come afterward, or even not appear at all. Consider Example 3:

Example 3 : It is important to note that, after years of discrimination and unheard appeals for justice, politicians finally recognized minority groups needed to have their basic rights written as law .

The introductory clause “it is important to note that” is unnecessary. The writer would not have included the main information if it were not important. Also, the time adverbial “after years of discrimination and unheard appeals for justice” could be placed after the main clause, if it is not needed beforehand as a transition or for emphasis. In the following example, we assume it is not needed as such.

Example 4 : Politicians finally recognized minority groups needed to have their basic rights written as law after years of discrimination and unheard appeals for justice.

In Example 4, both topic and character come first, and the supporting or secondary information comes after. This strategy creates a more readable and coherent sentence.

Text-level coherence

Coherence also depends on how writers organize their ideas. To keep ideas organized, the thesis statement should function as a map highlighting the organizational pattern of the essay. However, this pattern will affect elements beyond the thesis statement, such as the introduction and body paragraphs. For this reason, you should choose the pattern that works best for your essay as a whole. Take a look at some of the different organizational patterns you may use and what they are good for:

• Chronological order : explaining a step-by-step process, narrating a story, narrating an incident or anecdote from earlier to later
• Cause and effect : explaining a historical event, explaining a scientific finding or process
• Coordinate : explaining the several reasons for a fact or state of affairs

After you have decided on the best organizational pattern for your essay, and your thesis statement is ready, you should ask the following questions:

• Does my thesis statement provide the reader with a map of the essay? That is, upon reading my thesis statement, does the reader understand what I am writing about and what my main points are?
• In each paragraph, do the examples, facts, or illustrations I use relate to and support the topic?
• Does the topic of each paragraph detail one of the points or reasons I included in my thesis statement?

Review Questions: Coherence

Rewrite the following paragraph in order to make it coherent. Some sentences require further correction.

• I believe that technology can help people more in their lives. Nowadays, automation has become very popular in many areas, including agriculture. Vietnam is still an agricultural country, but it is not helped much by high technology, especially the poor farmers. I hope that, in the future, the farmers will enjoy the benefits of automation for a suitable price. The farmers can use a remote control to run a machine that can help them a lot in farming.

(Hint: First, identify the topic of the paragraph and then make it a topic sentence. Then find the characters. After that, decide which information should come after.)

The paragraphs below illustrate the organization pattern of the essays from which they were extracted. Read them and determine which of the three patterns—chronological, cause and effect, and coordinate—they exemplify. After you identify the pattern, write a new paragraph using the same pattern.

• Paragraph 1 : In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey , a group of apes were gathered when something unusual happened: A black monolith emerged from the ground. Some of the apes were shocked, and they did not know how to react, while others decided to investigate the strange object. From this incident, the apes learned to throw and to hit with objects. They used this new skill to fight other animals and get food. This was the beginning of humankind.
• Paragraph 2 : The “American dream” means many different things to many different people. For some, it means religious freedom or the freedom to worship in any way they like without feeling threatened. For others, it is becoming your own boss, a pursuit that just isn’t possible in many countries. For a third group, it is knowing that their hard work will allow their children and grandchildren to have a much better life than they had.
• Paragraph 3 : Many problems could result from climate change. One of the most serious is the rise of sea levels, which could result in the flooding of low-lying coastal areas in countries such as Egypt and the Netherlands. Another negative effect of climate change is its effect on weather patterns. The changing weather has caused a surge in hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters in many areas of the world. A final issue associated with climate change is how it affects biodiversity. Fish populations, for example, could be impacted by changes in water temperature, while some insects that carry disease might become more common throughout the world.

The voice of a verb determines which elements in the sentence will or will not be in focus. In English, the two types of verb voices are active and passive .

When we use active voice:

• the source of the action (agent) appears as the subject
• the receiver of the action (goal) appears as the object

Example : The government [agent] has extended benefits [goal] for the unemployed.

When we use passive voice:

• the receiver of the action (goal) becomes the subject
• the source of the action (agent) may or may not appear

Example : Benefits [goal] for the unemployed have been extended ( by the government ) [agent].

Passive voice is very useful to describe actions whose agents are obvious, not known, or not important. However, in an argumentative essay, passive voice may place your characters at the end of sentences, and this may not be a strong argumentative strategy. In this case, active voice should be used, especially when actions derive from visible characters.

Passive and active voices coexist because each has a distinct function. They allow writers to describe the same phenomenon from two different viewpoints. Writers need to understand the uses of each in order to make informed decisions about when to use either active or passive voice.

Here are a few hints to help you determine which voice may be appropriate in a sentence or description:

Example : The CIA should disclose torture documents to the public.

Example : Very expensive jewellery should not be kept at home.

Example : Students must choose if they want makeup classes either right after school or in the evening. The popular football game schedule and not the academic one [new information] may influence their choice more strongly [old information].

The underlined sentence above is in active voice, and it contains the new piece of information before the old one. In this case, passive voice is a better choice. It will place old information first and increase sentence flow, as the following example shows.

Example : Students must choose if they want makeup classes either right after school or in the evening. Their choice may be more strongly influenced by the popular football game schedule than by the academic one .

Review Questions: Voice

The verbs in the sentences below are in passive voice. Rewrite the sentences and change the verbs to active voice. Make any other changes as needed.

• New skills are learned by students when they are given opportunities by their teachers to take risks.
• In Brown’s article, it is argued that the secret prisons project was carried out by the Secret Service to allow high-risk criminals to be questioned without respect to international law.
• According to the local newspaper, it is believed that the discussion is polarized by citizens’ beliefs about how much the government should intervene in the economy.

Nominalization

In this chapter’s section on sentence order , we learned how to turn nouns into verbs as a strategy to place characters in focus and increase their agency. What we did was an exercise of de-nominalizing : we were turning nouns into actions. A nominalization is just the opposite, and it occurs when we turn a verb or an adjective into a noun.

Example 1 : Bob’s intention was to speak to Kate. Example 2 : Our presentation was about a new plan. Example 3 : We did a survey of 30 people for our study. Example 4 : Jack got the job because of his proficiency in English.

Using nominalization in the wrong context may remove the attention and focus you need for your characters and verbs. Sentences containing too many nominalizations can also end up being too wordy. In order to correct a nominalization, turn a noun back into a verb as per the example above.

Example 1 : Bob intended to speak to Kate.

Review Questions: Nominalization

Rewrite examples 2–4 in this section, correcting their nominalizations.

Points to Consider

• Write two sample paragraphs on any of the suggested topics below. One paragraph should display an appropriate tone for a persuasive essay. The other paragraph should display an informal or colloquial tone.
• In pairs, exchange paragraphs with a partner. Read your partner’s paragraphs and identify which one was written in an academic tone and which was not.
• Schools should replace books with laptops.
• Discuss your academic background and achievements.
• My recipe for stress management.
• When you are not sure about the meaning of a word you want to use, how can you figure out whether or not to use it?
• What is the difference between denotative and connotative meanings?
• Name and provide examples of three different strategies to avoid gender bias.
• When sentences emphasize clear characters and actions, what difference does it make to readers?
• How can you tell if the characters and actions in your sentences have been properly emphasized?
• How does the old-before-new principle help readers?
• How does this principle help connect ideas and sentences to one another?
• Explain paragraph-level coherence.
• Describe two organizational patterns you can use to plan and write a paragraph.
• When is it appropriate to use passive voice?
• When is it not appropriate to use passive voice?

Building Blocks of Academic Writing Copyright © 2020 by Carellin Brooks is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Varying Tone and Style Mastery

Imagine this: a groundbreaking study by esteemed linguist Deborah Tannen found that the way we express ourselves in writing can drastically alter the reception of our ideas. In her research, Tannen uncovered that individuals who skillfully varied their essay tone and style were not only more engaging but also more persuasive. This revelation underscores a profound truth about communication—how we present our thoughts matters just as much as the thoughts themselves. In the realm of essay writing, this insight transforms into a potent tool. It empowers you to adapt your voice, making it a perfect match for different essay types and thereby enhancing your ability to convey your message effectively.

Short Description

In our article, we will explore the tone of an essay examples and their pivotal role in conveying the author's message. We'll delve into three primary essay types—APA, Chicago, and MLA—highlighting their distinctive formatting and citation styles. We'll also demystify the concept of voice in an essay and explore how this elusive element can adapt and transform, resonating differently based on the essay's type and purpose. Join us in navigating the intricate world of writing an essay outline , where each word, tone, and style choice has the potential to captivate readers and effectively convey ideas!

What Is a Tone in Essay: Its Importance in Conveying the Writer's Message

Essay tone, often referred to as the writer's voice or attitude, is a critical element in conveying the writer's message effectively. It's the emotional and stylistic quality of the writing style that shapes how readers perceive and engage with the content.

The choice of essay tone is akin to selecting the right brushstroke for a painting. It sets the mood and influences the reader's response to the text. The significance of essay tone lies in its power to:

• Convey Emotion: It can infuse creative writing with emotions, making it more relatable and engaging. For instance, a narrative essay may employ a personal and emotive tone to draw readers into the author's experience.
• Establish Credibility: In academic writing, a formal and authoritative tone lends credibility to the author's arguments and research. It signals to readers that the author is knowledgeable and trustworthy.
• Persuade: Persuasive essays benefit from a confident and convincing tone that encourages readers to adopt the author's point of view. This tone is often assertive and backed by strong evidence.

Variety of Tones in Essays:

Essays can employ a range of tones, each suited to its specific purpose:

• Formal Tone: Often used in academic writing, the formal tone is characterized by precise language, adherence to grammar and punctuation rules , and a respectful, objective approach.
• Informal Tone: This tone is conversational and approachable. It's suitable for personal essays, blogs, and other content where the writer wants to connect with readers on a more personal level.
• Academic Tone: Academic essays require a tone that reflects a high level of professionalism and objectivity. Clarity and a focus on evidence-based arguments are paramount.
• Persuasive Tone: A persuasive essay adopts a tone that is confident, assertive, and often passionate. The goal is to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint.
• Narrative Tone: Narrative essays employ a storytelling tone, drawing readers into a personal experience. This tone often incorporates elements of description and emotion.

Understanding Essay Types

In the world of academic writing, essays come in various shapes and sizes, each adhering to specific guidelines and conventions. Three of the most commonly used essay types are APA , Chicago , and MLA. Understanding these essay types and their unique characteristics is essential for crafting scholarly work that meets the expected standards.

It's important to clarify the specific style and requirements they need, as these three major styles have key differences in formatting and citation styles:

Key Differences in Formatting and Citation Styles:

• APA (American Psychological Association): The APA style is widely used in professional writing, particularly in social sciences and psychology. It emphasizes clarity and conciseness, with a focus on the author's name and publication date within in-text citations. The reference page lists sources in a structured format, including the author's last name and initials, publication year, title, source, and DOI (if applicable). APA also employs a unique title page format with specific guidelines for headings and subheadings.
• Chicago Style: The Chicago style is a versatile format used in history, literature, and some social sciences. It offers two citation systems: the notes and bibliography system and the author-date system. In the notes and bibliography system, footnotes or endnotes are used for citations, while the author-date system employs in-text citations. The reference list or bibliography is comprehensive, featuring detailed information about the sources used, such as publication place and publisher.
• MLA (Modern Language Association): MLA style is commonly used in the humanities, including literature and language studies. It utilizes in-text citations with the author's last name and page number, promoting brevity. The Works Cited page contains full publication details, including the author's full name, source title, publisher, and publication date. MLA places a strong emphasis on clear and consistent formatting, including guidelines for headers and margins.

Importance of Adhering to Prescribed Style:

Adhering to the prescribed style for each essay type is of paramount importance in academic writing for several reasons:

• Clarity and Consistency: Consistent formatting and citation styles make it easier for readers to locate and verify your sources. This enhances the credibility of your work.
• Respect for Disciplinary Norms: Different academic disciplines have established specific citation styles to meet the needs and expectations of their respective communities. Adhering to these styles demonstrates your understanding of and respect for disciplinary norms.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: Proper citation ensures that you give credit to the original authors of ideas, information, or phrases you incorporate into your work. This is vital for avoiding plagiarism and upholding academic integrity.
• Professionalism: Employing the correct style showcases your professionalism and commitment to producing high-quality scholarly work. It also facilitates collaboration and communication within your academic field.

APA Style Essay

An APA (American Psychological Association) style essay is distinctive in its characteristics and guidelines, primarily designed for social sciences and psychology disciplines. In the realm of academic writing, understanding the nuances of tone and voice is fundamental, and this is particularly true for APA (American Psychological Association) style essays. The choice of tone and voice in an APA essay isn't merely a matter of stylistic preference; it's a crucial element that shapes the communication of your research and ideas.

• Formal and Objective Tone: APA essays demand a formal tone that maintains objectivity throughout. This formality is crucial for establishing credibility and professionalism in the eyes of your academic peers and readers. It signifies that your work is grounded in rigorous research and analysis.
• Precision and Clarity: Precision is key in APA essays. The language should be clear and unambiguous. Aim for clarity in your expression, ensuring that your ideas are communicated with precision. Avoid vague or convoluted language that may lead to misinterpretation.
• Impersonal Voice (Third Person): One distinctive feature of APA style is the use of an impersonal voice, typically in the third person. This means that instead of saying, 'I conducted a study,' you would write, 'The study was conducted.' This choice reinforces objectivity and minimizes any personal bias or subjectivity in your writing.

Chicago Style Essay

A Chicago style essay, known for its flexibility and adaptability, is commonly employed in disciplines like history, literature, and some social sciences.

• Formal and Scholarly Tone: When crafting a Chicago style essay example, maintain a formal and scholarly tone. The language should be clear, precise, and devoid of colloquialisms or slang. Academic professionalism is of paramount importance.
• Authoritative Voice: To convey your arguments effectively, employ an authoritative voice that asserts the significance of your research or analysis. This voice communicates confidence in your findings and conclusions.
• Clarity and Rigor: Chicago style essays format should be characterized by clarity and rigor. Avoid ambiguity and vague language. Be meticulous in your research, ensuring that all citations and references are accurate and complete.

MLA Style Essay

An MLA (Modern Language Association) style essay is widely used in humanities disciplines, such as literature and language studies.

• Formal and Academic Tone: An MLA style essay maintains a formal and academic tone, suitable for scholarly discourse. The language should be precise and professional, avoiding colloquialisms or slang.
• Objective and Neutral Voice: MLA style essay example requires an objective and neutral voice. Present your arguments and analyses in a balanced, unbiased manner. Avoid injecting personal opinions or emotions into the text.
• Clarity and Simplicity: Clarity is central to MLA style. Express your ideas in a straightforward and comprehensible manner. Simplicity in language is preferred, making the essay accessible to a broad audience.

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Tone of an Essay Examples

Let's explore examples of different essay tones and demonstrate how they influence the reader's perception, as well as highlight the profound impact of tone on the overall effectiveness of an essay. Whether you're looking for business writing or dealing with casual colloquial language, understanding these tones is essential:

Formal Tone:

• Example: 'The research findings indicate a significant correlation between A and B, suggesting a compelling link that merits further investigation.'
• Influence on Perception: A formal style conveys authority, professionalism, and objectivity. Readers perceive the author as credible and the information as reliable.

Informal Tone:

• Example: 'So, you won't believe it, but this study totally shows that A and B are like best friends. Seriously!'
• Influence on Perception: An informal language establishes a conversational and approachable connection with readers. It can make complex topics more relatable but may be perceived as less authoritative.

Persuasive Tone:

• Example: 'Without a doubt, it's imperative that we take immediate action to address this pressing issue. Our future depends on it.'
• Influence on Perception: A persuasive tone instills a sense of urgency and conviction in readers. It encourages them to adopt the author's viewpoint or take action.

Narrative Tone:

• Example: 'As I stood there, the sun setting behind the mountains, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought me to this moment.'
• Influence on Perception: A narrative tone invites readers into a personal experience, creating an emotional connection. It can make abstract ideas more vivid and relatable.

Humorous Tone:

• Example: 'You know, trying to understand quantum physics is a bit like chasing a squirrel on roller skates - entertaining, but you're not sure where it's going.'
• Influence on Perception: A humorous tone adds levity and charm to the essay, making it engaging and memorable. It can break down complex subjects and ease tension.

The Impact of Tone on Overall Effectiveness:

The tone of an essay wields considerable power over its effectiveness:

• Engagement: A well-chosen tone captivates readers, drawing them into the narrative or argument. Engaged readers are more likely to continue reading and absorb the essay's content.
• Clarity: Tone can enhance or hinder clarity. A clear and appropriate tone ensures that the essay's message is easily understood, fostering effective communication.
• Credibility: Tone shapes perceptions of the author's credibility. A tone that aligns with the essay's purpose and audience enhances the author's authority and trustworthiness.
• Emotional Connection: The right tone can evoke emotions, forging a connection between the author and readers. Emotionally engaged readers are more likely to empathize with the essay's message.
• Persuasion: In persuasive essays, tone plays a critical role in influencing readers' opinions and decisions. A persuasive tone can make a compelling argument more convincing, whether it's in business writing or a personal reflection in your own voice.

Voice in an Essay

While tone and voice are closely related elements in writing, they serve different purposes and convey distinct aspects of the author's communication. As already discussed, tone refers to the attitude, emotion, or mood that the author conveys through their writing.

Voice, on the other hand, is the distinctive style and personality of the author that comes through in their writing. It encompasses the author's unique perspective, individuality, and way of presenting ideas. Voice is the author's 'writing fingerprint' that sets their work apart and gives it a distinct character. It's not just about the emotional or rhetorical attitude but also about the author's stylistic choices, word selection, and sentence structure. Voice in an essay remains relatively consistent throughout an author's body of work and is what makes their writing recognizable.

Active Voice Essay

In writing, active voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence performs the action of the verb. It's a straightforward and direct way to convey information, emphasizing the 'doer' of the action. Understanding when and how to use an active voice essay is crucial for maintaining clarity and engaging your readers.

When to Use Active Voice in Essays:

1. To Emphasize the Subject's Action:

• Use active voice when you want to emphasize the subject's action or the 'doer' of the action. This brings focus to the agent responsible for the action, making the sentence more engaging.
• Example : 'The scientist conducted the experiment.'

2. To Improve Clarity:

• Active voice typically results in clearer, more direct sentences. It eliminates ambiguity and ensures the reader can easily discern who is performing the action.
• Example : 'The company announced the merger.' (Active) vs. 'The merger was announced by the company.' (Passive)

3. To Make Writing More Concise:

• The active voice often requires fewer words, making your writing more concise and to the point.
• Example : 'She wrote the report.' (Active) vs. 'The report was written by her.' (Passive)

Passive Voice Essay

While active voice places the emphasis on the subject performing the action, passive voice in essays shifts the focus to the action itself or the recipient of the action. Understanding when and how to use a passive voice essay is essential for conveying information with a specific emphasis.

When to Use Passive Voice in Essays:

1. To Emphasize the Action or Object:

• Passive voice is useful when you want to emphasize the action, process, or the object receiving the action rather than the person or thing performing it.
• Example : 'The novel was widely acclaimed by critics.' (Emphasizes the acclaim)

2. When the Doer Is Unknown or Irrelevant:

• Passive voice can be employed when the identity of the 'doer' is unknown or irrelevant to the context.
• Example : 'The Mona Lisa was painted in the 16th century.' (The focus is on the painting's creation, not the artist.)

3. To Maintain Objectivity:

• Passive voice can contribute to an objective tone in academic or scientific writing by minimizing references to the author or researcher.
• Example : 'The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions.'

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What Tone Should an Argumentative Essay Have?

An argumentative essay should typically have a tone that is assertive, persuasive, and rational. It's essential to maintain a tone that conveys confidence in your argument while respecting opposing viewpoints. Avoid overly aggressive or emotional tones. Instead, focus on presenting well-reasoned arguments supported by credible evidence and maintaining a respectful and professional tone throughout.

What Tone and Style Is Used in Academic Writing?

In academic writing, the tone and style should be formal, objective, and professional. Whether you decide towrite one yourself, you should know that academic writing is characterized by clarity, precision, and adherence to established conventions. Avoid using first-person pronouns (e.g., 'I' or 'we') and maintain a third-person perspective. Additionally, follow the specific formatting and citation style guidelines relevant to your academic discipline, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. The goal of academic writing is to communicate research and ideas clearly and objectively to an academic audience.

As a Final Word

In the world of essay writing, your tone, voice, and style are like paintbrushes on the canvas. They set the mood, making your writing come alive. Whether you're writing an argument, sharing a story, or diving into academics, knowing when to use active or passive voice and choosing the right tone can turn your writing into something truly special. It's the blend of these elements that gives your message power, connects with your readers, and leaves a lasting impression. So, use your tone and voice wisely, and let your words leave a mark in the hearts and minds of your audience.

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12 Different Types of Tones in Writing with Examples

If you want your writing to be as multifaceted and engrossing as possible, it is important that you know how to efficiently use tones. What is tone, though? What makes it so important to the writing process? How do you actually use tone in your writing? This article will answer those questions and so much more.

What is Tone in Writing?

It is the way a writer uses words to convey non-verbal observations about specific subjects. By using specific tones and tone words in your manuscripts and poems, you will be able to convey facts, emotions, and concepts more effectively.

What Is the Importance of Tone in Writing?

Writing tone is very important because it is one of the most effective ways to convey emotion and context to your writing. Tones are a bit tricky to use, though. If you don’t use the right tone, your readers might misunderstand your intent and have a negative perception of you and your writing.

How to Develop Your Writing Tone?

If you want to effectively develop the tone in your writing, you should be willing to experiment with the types of tone. The more you practice with writing tones, the better your writing style will be.

Before you start using specific tones in your writing, it always helps to know which tone is best to use. Below are the 12 most common tones: 

• Pessimistic
• Encouraging
• Cooperative
• Inspirational

It is also important to know the difference between voice and tone. The key difference between voice and tone is that the voice is the unique point of view and choice of words that the author uses in his or her work. The tone on the other hand is the attitude conveyed through the author’s writing.

If you want your readers to be emotionally invested in your writing, it is a good idea to utilize a sad tone in your writing. Sadness is a core emotional state for most people.

We feel sad whenever something unfortunate happens to us or someone close to us. We could also feel sad whenever we empathize with someone.

This person does not need to be close to us either. When you use a sad tone in your writing, your main goal should be to make the reader more sympathetic to your main character.

This empathy will keep them interested in the story.

“The pleasure of remembering had been taken from me, because there was no longer anyone to remember with. It felt like losing your co-rememberer meant losing the memory itself. As if the things we’d done were less real and important than they had been hours before.” -John Green, The Fault In Our Stars

“Why do people have to be this lonely? What’s the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?” -Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart

“Tonight I can write the saddest lines. I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.” -Pablo Neruda, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

Horror is all about surprise and fear. When you use a horror-filled tone, your main intent should be to shock your readers to the core.

Give them a fearful situation that they will have to confront.

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” -Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven

“Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.” -Stephen King, It

“Blood is really warm, it’s like drinking hot chocolate but with more screaming.” -Ryan Mecum, Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry for Your...Brains

3. Pessimistic

Being pessimistic is a state of mind wherein you expect the worst to happen. This does not really show the reality of the situation and is more like a mindset.

“All religion, my friend, is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry.” -Edgar Allan Poe

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” -Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” -Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

4. Humorous

This tone is by far one of the most useful tones because it allows you to draw your readers into the story. It is a very multifaceted tone.

It not only makes your readers laugh, but it also lightens the overall mood of your writing.

“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.” -Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” -Albert Einstein

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.” -Mark Twain

5. Optimistic

Like the pessimistic tone, the optimistic tone is more like a state of mind, rather than being a signifier of the reality within the story. The tone usually takes place in the narrator’s mind and is a reaction to a specific situation within the story.

“There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.” -Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

“Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” -Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” -Anne Frank, Anne Frank's Tales from the Secret Annex: A Collection of Her Short Stories, Fables, and Lesser-Known Writings

Joy is by far one of the purest of all positive emotions and could be used as a specific tone to create a lighter and happier atmosphere in your writing. This type of tone is usually used in character interaction situations and is meant to create a sense of positivity in the story.

“Stars are always dancing. Sometimes they dance twinkling away with the rhythm of your joyful heart and sometimes they dance without movement to embrace your heartache as if frozen sculptures of open-armed sadness.” -Munia Khan

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.”  -Nicolas Chamfort

7. Encouraging

If you are going to use an encouraging tone, you should take a more understanding and supportive frame of mind. The encouraging tone is meant to uplift, and reassure readers.

It could also be used to assuage readers about a specific fear that they have.

“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.” -Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” - William W. Purkey

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

8. Cooperative

When you use a cooperative tone, you should choose your words as carefully as possible. This type of tone is usually used in the workplace, or in situations where you will need group members to do their part.

The tone should emanate a positive outlook on the job, and compel your audience to do their part.

“One cannot be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope. When it fully learns that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the quality that most characterizes and preserves it, then it will have achieved itself and outlived its origins. Then it has a chance to create a society to match its scenery.” -Wallace Stegner, The Sound of Mountain Water

“I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.” -Neil Gaiman

When you use a curious tone in your writing, your main goal should be to compel your audience to get curious about a specific topic. It could be an unsolved mystery, or an unanswered query, what’s important is that you compel your readers to dig deeper and learn more about the topic.

“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.” -T.H. White, The Once and Future King

“I'm really hoping he’s being genuine because I can already tell he isn't the kind of guy a girl gets a simple crush on. He’s the kind of guy you fall hard for, and the thought of that terrifies me. I don’t really want to fall hard for anyone at all, especially someone who’s only making an effort because he thinks I'm easy. I also don’t want to fall for someone who has already branded himself hopeless. But I'm curious. So curious.” -Colleen Hoover, Hopeless

“What about you? What do you do?” I needed to ask questions, draw him out. I needed to find out all the information I could. My voice sounded strong and smooth, but my hands were shaking. I put them in my lap so he couldn’t see. “I prey on innocent villagers and terrify their children,” he said with a nasty smile. “And sometimes when I’m feeling really evil, I read books or paint.” -Kate Avery Ellison, The Curse Girl

10. Worried

This tone’s main intent is to make the reader apprehensive about a character or topic. In order to use a worried tone, you should use specific words and scenarios that will create a sense of unease and anxiety in your readers.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie Ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook

“The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose of Christmas

“The whole thing is quite hopeless, so it's no good worrying about tomorrow. It probably won't come.” -J R R Tolkien, The Return of the King

11. Nostalgic

A nostalgic tone is meant to evoke a fondness for times long past. This is a useful tone if you have your characters reminiscing about their younger days or the way things were when they were younger.

This tone could also be used if you are writing about specific eras such as the 70s or 80s.

“It is an illusion that youth is happy, an illusion of those who have lost it; but the young know they are wretched for they are full of the truthless ideal which have been instilled into them, and each time they come in contact with the real, they are bruised and wounded. It looks as if they were victims of a conspiracy; for the books they read, ideal by the necessity of selection, and the conversation of their elders, who look back upon the past through a rosy haze of forgetfulness, prepare them for an unreal life. They must discover for themselves that all they have read and all they have been told are lies, lies, lies; and each discovery is another nail driven into the body on the cross of life.” -W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

“It is strange how we hold on to the pieces of the past while we wait for our futures.” -Ally Condie, Matched

12. Inspirational

This tone is meant to inspire readers to commit to a task or ideal. This could be used in a story where your main character calls his comrades to fight for an ideal.

It could also be used in self-help books where you call on your reader to strive for something. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it with the inspirational language because it might sound corny.

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” -Neil Gaiman, Coraline

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

When it comes to making your writing as effective as possible, it is important that you know how to use tones. By using these tones in your manuscripts and poems, you will be able to add a whole new facet to your writing.

Remember though, that these are not the only tones out there. If you want to further expand your writing prowess, it is a good idea to experiment with other tones.

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27 Tone Examples + How to Use Tones Effectively in Writing

• Updated: 03/04/24
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In the realm of writing, tone is the hidden language that speaks volumes beyond the words on the page.

It can turn a simple text into a symphony of sentiments, evoking joy, sadness, anger, surprise, and much more.

Tone spans everything from literature to film writing to professional emails in the workplace.

It dictates how your message is received and what kind of an impact your words will have on your audience.

In this post, we’ll uncover the mystery behind the different examples of tone and provide practical insights into how you can deftly weave these tones into your own writing.

So, ready to tune in? Let’s dive deep into the fascinating world of writing tones.

What is Tone?

Tone is an attitude or outlook towards a subject, idea, or event. It can be formal or informal, positive or negative, serious or humorous, etc.

To put it simply, tone is the way you use words to express yourself and convey your message.

It conveys the intended emotion behind the words you choose to write with. Tone encompasses everything from the word choice to syntax and punctuation, all of which contribute to “how” you communicate a message.

But what comes first? The chicken or the egg?

Does your word choice dictate your tone or does your tone dictate your word choice?

Both can be true. The writer’s attitude often dictates their writing style but the author’s word choice can also change the overall tone of their content – whether intentionally or not.

This is why it’s important to be intentional with your literary elements.

Why is Tone Important?

The overall tone of your writing is essential in conveying the right message to your reader. It helps them understand what you’re trying to say and builds a connection between you as the writer and them as the reader.

Your audience will identify with your writing if it resonates with their outlook on life. Conversely, they will be turned off by writing that does not align with their beliefs or personal values.

The tone you use is important for creating a strong relationship between yourself and your readers. It helps them understand who you are, what you stand for, and how they can relate to your message.

27 Examples of Tone

There are many ways to describe a writer’s tone, each conveying a different set of emotions and sentiments.

Here are some of the more commonly used examples of tone:

1. Formal Tone

Formal tone is typically used in professional settings and often appears in legal documents or emails from employers to employees.

It juxtaposes politeness with authority and often requires the use of formal language and terms.

Examples of tone in a formal manner are most often found in the workplace among colleagues and in other professional settings.

Formal tone examples:

• “We are pleased to inform you that your job application has been accepted.”
• “As per the company policy, employees are required to adhere to strict deadlines.”

2. Informal Tone

The informal tone is used in casual conversations between friends or acquaintances.

It can also be used to create a friendly, humorous atmosphere. This tone should not be confused with being unprofessional or disrespectful.

When using an informal tone it’s important to sound natural and authentic. Don’t use complicated words or phrases – use conversational language that anyone can understand. You don’t have to talk in full sentences either – fragments are okay too.

This writing style often includes slang words, abbreviations, colloquialisms , and other informal settings.

Informal tone examples:

• “Hey dude, what’s up?”
• “Check out my new phone! It’s sick!”

3. Serious Tone

The serious tone comes into play when discussing sensitive topics or delivering an important message. It conveys respect and a sense of gravity that must be conveyed in the moment.

When using the serious tone, the language should be confident yet compassionate. This means avoiding words or phrases that could be seen as judgemental or condescending. Instead, use facts to back up statements and avoid any kind of exaggeration.

This type of tone is most commonly used in political speeches and news about serious matters.

Serious tone examples:

• “We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Smith.”
• “The terrorist attacks in Paris have brought to light the urgent need for worldwide peace and security.”

4. Funny Tone

This writing tone is used to lighten up a potentially dull moment or to break through the mundane. Humor can be used to create a connection with the audience, as it creates an intimate atmosphere.

Using this type of tone in writing must be done with caution so that it doesn’t become too over-the-top or offensive—it should always remain appropriate for the brand and its message.

Including an element of wit and charm helps shape how customers perceive the brand and its products.

Funny tone examples:

• “I had a great time at the party last night…or so I’m told.”
• “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – and don’t forget the tequila!”

5. Positive Tone

The positive tone of an author’s voice is one that is enthusiastic, upbeat, and optimistic. It is also generally friendly and cheerful.

The positive tone conveys enthusiasm and optimism to the reader, often inspiring them to take action or be hopeful.

Positive tones often have a warmer feel than neutral tones, making them well-suited to create trust and build relationships with customers.

They can be used to express excitement or enthusiasm about a product or service, as well as to emphasize the positive aspects of a company or brand.

Positive tones can be used to show appreciation for customers, announce promotions and new products, and provide helpful customer support.

Positive tone examples:

• “Let’s make this project a success!”
• “This year will be full of great opportunities – let’s make the most of them!”

6. Negative Tone

The negative tone of an author’s voice is one that is downbeat, pessimistic, and often filled with criticism. It can also be used to express frustration or contempt.

Negative tones should generally be avoided in business writing, as they can reflect poorly on the brand and create a sense of negativity or hostility in the reader.

However, it may be appropriate in some cases to address negative topics or criticism, such as when a customer service issue needs to be resolved.

Negative tones should always remain polite and professional, even when addressing difficult topics.

Negative tone examples:

• “Your performance in this project was unacceptable.”
• “This behavior needs to change immediately.”

7. Playful Tone

This lighthearted tone is perfect for lightening up a conversation or adding some humor into your writing . It often makes use of puns, metaphors, hyperboles , and other creative language.

When writing with a playful or witty tone, it’s important to be mindful of the audience and use appropriate language. It should be used in moderation and not overwhelm other tones that you’re using.

It can be helpful to take a step back and re-read your work every once in awhile to make sure it follows the brand voice guidelines you have set up for your writing.

Playful tone examples:

• “Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get!”
• “The future isn’t far away; it’s just around the corner.”

8. Inspirational Tone

The inspirational tone aims to motivate and inspire its readers. It often employs phrases that evoke hope and courage, as well as words of encouragement.

This tone should be used sparingly, as it can easily come across as corny or self-aggrandizing. It’s important to maintain a balance between expressions of enthusiasm and sincerity.

Make sure your messages are genuine and uplifting. Inspire readers by emphasizing the benefits of acting on their goals and dreams with positive statements.

For example, when writing product descriptions, highlight how it can make life easier or more fun rather than just listing features. Encourage readers to imagine a better future for themselves and their lives after using the product.

Inspirational tone examples:

• “Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.”
• “The only way to succeed is to keep on trying even when the odds are against you.”

9. Sarcastic Tone

Sarcasm is often adopted in order to make a point or express emotion. It often uses irony and wit when delivering the message, but should be done carefully as it can also come off as rude.

Sarcastic language should be kept light-hearted and never used in an aggressive manner.

Sarcastic tone words should only be employed if the situation warrants it, and it should always be used sparingly.

Sarcastic tone examples:

• “Oh, great! Another project I get to work on at 3 AM.”
• “Right on time again – what a surprise!”

10. Pessimistic Tone

A pessimistic tone reveals a lack of hope or enthusiasm. It can be used to express disappointment with the current state of affairs, as well as doubt in the success of future endeavors.

of should be used sparingly and only when appropriate. It may be appropriate in some cases to address negative topics, such as when a customer service issue needs to be resolved.

When used, it should always remain polite and professional, even when addressing difficult topics.

Pessimistic tone examples:

• “I’m afraid this situation is beyond repair.”
• “It’s impossible to reach our goals with the current resources available.”

11. Optimistic Tone

The opposite of pessimism is optimism. This type of tone reveals a sense of hope and enthusiasm for the future. Optimistic tone words can help to motivate others and inspire them to take action.

Optimistic tone examples:

• “We can achieve our goals if we work together.”
• “This is a great opportunity to try something new!”

11. Aggressive Tone

The aggressive tone is one that expresses anger or hostility. It should be avoided in most cases, as it can come off as hostile and unwelcoming.

When aggressive tone words are used, they should always remain professional and polite.

Aggressive language should not be employed unless absolutely necessary.

Aggressive tone examples:

• “You need to make this happen – right now!”
• “I’m not asking, I’m telling you.”

13. Neutral Tone

The neutral tone is one that avoids emotion or opinion. It is often used when writing reports or providing factual information.

This type of writing should be concise and free from any bias. It should also include accurate facts and figures to provide the reader with an objective view of a situation.

Neutral tone examples:

• “This could be a good opportunity for both parties.”
• “What do you think about this issue?”

14. Respectful Tone

The respectful tone is one that shows respect for the reader and their opinions. It uses polite language and avoids any harsh words or criticism.

This writing style should be professional and courteous, as it can help to build good relationships with customers or colleagues.

It can also show humility and appreciation for the other person’s views or experiences.

Respectful tone examples:

• “I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my proposal.”
• “Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.”

15. Persuasive Tone

The persuasive tone is one that attempts to convince or persuade the reader.

It should use logical arguments and evidence to support its claims, as well as emotional language to try to evoke a response from the reader.

This type of writing needs to be carefully crafted, as it can easily come across as aggressive or manipulative if done incorrectly.

Persuasive tone examples:

• “The evidence speaks for itself – this is the right decision to make.”
• “This is the best option for getting what you want.”

16. Casual Tone

This type of tone conveys a sense of familiarity with readers and invites them to engage in an easy-going conversation.

Casual writing often contains words like “you” or “we” to make it more friendly and approachable, as if you’re having a conversation with the reader.

It’s often used for blog posts and social media updates, as it can help build relationships between brands and customers.

Using casual language is an effective way to make customers feel like they are part of something bigger, that they are accepted in the brand’s environment.

Casual tone examples:

• “Hey there! What’s up?”
• “Let’s grab some coffee later – sound good?”

17. Urgent Tone

The urgent tone is one that conveys a sense of urgency or importance. It’s often used to emphasize the need for immediate action and should be used sparingly.

When used in the right context, urgent tone words can be effective in motivating people and helping them understand why they should take action.

However, overusing this type of language can sound overly aggressive and can diminish its impact.

Urgent tone examples:

• “We need to act on this immediately!”
• “This issue has to be addressed now!”

18. Friendly Tone

The friendly tone is one that conveys a sense of warmth and openness. It should be used to create a positive atmosphere and make customers feel valued and welcome.

This type of writing should be informal, but still professional. Use words like “we”, “you”, and “our” to address the others directly.

Examples of tone in a friendly way are most often found with acquaintances or new relationships.

Friendly tone examples:

• “I really appreciate your help with this project.”
• “Thank you for being so understanding!”

19. Empathetic Tone

An empathetic tone helps to make your others feel understood. This type of tone can convey that you truly care about their needs and concerns, making them more likely to build a positive relationship with you.

When using an empathetic tone, use words like “understand” and “feel” to let others know that you are listening.

Empathetic tone examples:

• “I understand how difficult this time must be for you.”
• “My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.”

20. Supportive Tone

The supportive tone is one that conveys a sense of encouragement and understanding.

It should be used to show your support for the reader, even if they don’t agree with you on certain topics or issues.

This type of writing is often used to build relationships and motivate people, as it can help strengthen their resolve and boost their morale.

Supportive tone examples:

• “I’m here to offer you any help I can.”
• “My goal is to provide you with all the support you need.”

21. Confident Tone

The confident tone is one that conveys a sense of assurance and certainty. It should be used to demonstrate authority and give the reader a feeling of security.

This type of writing should include language that instills trust in the reader, such as words like “certain”, “guarantee”, and “assurance”.

Confident tone examples:

• “I can affirm that this is the right decision.”
• “I’m certain we can make this a success!”

22. Assertive Tone

The assertive tone is used to demonstrate authority and assertiveness. It often requires the use of strong language and forceful words.

Assertive writing should be used sparingly, as it can come across as overly aggressive if not handled properly.

Assertive tone examples:

• “This has to be done now, no exceptions.”
• “I expect this to be completed by the end of the day.”

23. Hopeful Tone

The hopeful tone is one that conveys optimism and positivity. It should be used to encourage and motivate the reader to keep striving towards their goals.

This type of writing can help lift people’s spirits and give them the confidence they need to stay on track.

Hopeful tone examples:

• “I have faith that we can make this happen.”
• “We are optimistic that we can find a solution.”

24. Calm Tone

The calm tone is used to bring peace and tranquility to the reader. This tone is used when delivering information, expressing empathy, and creating a relaxed environment.

It’s important to use this tone sparingly since overuse can lead to boredom, confusion, and ultimately disinterest in the message.

When using a calm tone, think about how you would talk to a friend or family member during a difficult time: with sincerity and respect.

Use language that is comforting and soothing, avoid unnecessary details, and focus on common ground between the message sender and receiver.

Calm tone examples:

• “I wish you peace and serenity in this time of challenge.”
• “May all beings find tranquility and harmony within their hearts.”

25. Constructive Tone

Constructive tone emphasizes solutions, constructive actions, and progress.

It should be used when providing feedback or making suggestions that are intended to improve a situation or idea.

When using this tone, it is important to remain respectful and focus on the positive elements of the solution being proposed.

Use language that is positive and actionable rather than negative and destructive.

Constructive tone examples:

• “Let’s think about how we can make this better.”
• “I’m sure we can find a way to move forward with this project.”

26. Surprised Tone

Examples of tone for surprise normally express surprise or shock. This type of writing should be used sparingly and only when appropriate, as it can come across as overly dramatic or aggressive.

When using this tone, use language that conveys the intensity of the situation without sounding incendiary.

Surprised tone examples:

• “That’s quite a surprising development!”
• “I can’t believe this is happening!”

27. Encouraging Tone

Examples of tone for encouragement provide support and motivation to its readers. It uses positive language to encourage readers to take action or be hopeful.

This writing tone is often used to inspire and motivate the reader. It can also be used to boost morale or provide a positive outlook on a difficult situation.

Encouraging tone examples:

• “You have what it takes to make this happen!”
• “Believe in yourself – you can do it!”

How to Identify Tone in Writing

Identifying tone in writing can be tricky, but with practice, it’s possible to identify a wide range of tones used by different authors.

Here are some tips on how to identify tone:

• Read the text carefully and pay attention to the words used, the sentence structure, and even punctuation.
• Pay close attention to adjectives – they can often reveal the tone of an author.
• Look for patterns or recurring themes – these may help you identify a particular tone.
• Use context clues to understand the overall message and determine the writer’s intent.
• Finally, try to think of how you would feel if you were reading the text yourself – this can also help you identify tone in writing.

With practice, you can become a master at recognizing tone and creating pieces with the perfect tone for your audience.

How to Use Tones in Writing

Using the right tone in your writing is a great way to ensure that your message resonates with readers. Here are some tips on how to use different tones in writing:

Know Your Audience

Before you start writing, take the time to understand who you are addressing and what kind of impact you want to have on them.

This will help you pick the right tone for your message. For example, formal tone in the workplace and informal tone with your friends and family.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Every word carries a certain connotation and plays an important role in setting the tone of your writing.

Take the time to pick the words that best communicate what you are trying to convey.

Use Emotional Language

Emotional language helps to drive your point home and increase the impact of your writing.

Try using words that evoke positive or negative emotions (joy, sadness, anger etc.) depending on what you are aiming for.

Vary Your Tone

It’s important to be consistent when using tone in writing but don’t be afraid to mix things up once in a while.

Combining different types of tones can make your writing more interesting and engaging for readers.

Remember That They Can’t See You

In writing, particularly online or in email, you are not speaking face to face. No one can see your facial expression or your body language.

Try to convey the same level of emotion as if you were talking to someone in person and avoid using a tone that may be interpreted as overly harsh.

FAQs About Tone

Three examples of tone in writing include the following:

• Encouraging Tone: This tone is often used to inspire and motivate the reader with positive language. Example: “Believe in yourself – you can do it!”
• Calm Tone: A calm tone brings peace and tranquility to the reader with comforting and soothing language. Example: “I wish you peace and serenity in this time of challenge.”
• Surprised Tone: This tone expresses surprise or shock, and should be used sparingly to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Example: “That’s quite a surprising development!”

A tone in a story refers to the author’s attitude or feelings towards the subject matter or the audience. For instance, if a story has a melancholic tone, the author could use somber language and detailed descriptions of gloomy settings or sorrowful events to evoke feelings of sadness and despair in the readers. The tone can greatly impact how readers perceive the narrative, characters, and themes within the story.

A tone sentence example could be: “With a cheerful smile and a twinkle in her eyes, Grandma said, ‘You did a fantastic job, darling!'” This sentence uses an encouraging tone, reflecting positivity and favor towards the reader’s action. The use of an exclamation point, descriptive adjectives, and endearing terms helps convey this tone.

A mood tone in writing refers to the emotional atmosphere that the author creates within the piece to evoke certain feelings or responses from the reader. For example, if a story has a dark and eerie mood tone, it might use descriptive language, settings, and events to induce feelings of fear, suspense, or unease in the readers.

This can be achieved through the use of specific words, sentence structure, or imagery that align with this emotional atmosphere.

Having the right tone in your writing is essential to connecting with readers and conveying your message in the most effective way.

When you’re writing, your audience can’t read your body language – they can only receive your tone in writing. This is why your word choice is so important because it can also dictate the tone of your writing.

Knowing how to change your overall tone in writing will help you create content that resonates with a wide range of audiences.

By understanding your audience, choosing your words carefully, using emotional language, varying the tone, and remembering that people can’t see you, you can ensure that your writing is powerful and effective.

If you’re not sure which tone to use in a particular situation, take some time to think about the overall message you want to convey.

Then use the examples of tone and tips above to find the right balance of tones for your writing. With practice and patience, you’ll be able to master the art of using different tones in writing.

20 Academic Tone and Language

Academic language.

Academic language has certain characteristics regardless of the course you are writing for.

• It is formal (see tone ), yet not overly complicated. It is unlike standard conversational language and the hints and tips below will help to elevate your writing style.
• It should be factual and objective; free from personal opinions, bias and value judgments. On rare occasions you may be asked to state your own personal point of view on a particular concept or issue. You should only do so if it is explicitly prescribed. This is the only time first person pronouns (I, my, we, our – see Chapter 5) are permitted.
• Academic writing is always supported by evidence rather than personal opinion, therefore emotional (emotive) or exaggerated (hyperbolic) language are not used.
• Academic language is most often enquiring or analytical in nature, therefore you must be willing to review more than one perspective on a topic and use language that demonstrates the ability to compare and contrast ideas (see signposting below).
• Academic language should be explicit; clear and not vague. Signposting can be used to lead the reader through the text from one section to another or from one idea to the next (see below).
• Passive voice (see chapter 7) can be used to avoid the use of personal pronouns. For example, instead of writing “In this essay I will discuss…”, you can write “This essay will discuss…”

Signposting

Signposting is the use of words and phrases to guide the reader through your written work. There are two types – major and minor.

Major Signposting

Major signposting is used to signal the introduction of key sections or aspects of the work. These might include the aim, purpose, or structure.

In the introduction

• This essay will…
• The aim of this essay is to…
• The major issue being discussed is…
• This essay will define and describe…
• This essay will critically examine…
• This essay will first define…then discuss…before making recommendations for…
• This essay is organised in the following way;

In the conclusion

• To conclude,
• In conclusion,
• To summarise,
• It is evident that

Minor Signposting

Minor signposting are linking words and phrases that make connections for your reader and move them through the text.

• They may be as simple as: First, second, third, next, then, last, lastly, finally
• To offer a counterpoint: However, although, though, yet, alternatively, nevertheless
• To indicate an example: For example, notably, for instance, in this case

These are just a few examples of signposting. For further information and some very useful instances of signposting please follow the link to Queen’s University Belfast [1]

Filetoupload,597684,en.pdf (qub.ac.uk)

Academic Tone

Tone is the general character or attitude of a work and it is highly dependent on word choice and structure. It should match the intended purpose and audience of the text. As noted in the Academic Language section above, the tone should be formal, direct, consistent (polished and error-free), and objective. It should also be factual and not contain personal opinions.

What is the difference between tone and voice?

When learning academic writing skills you may hear “voice” referred to, especially in terms of source integration and maintaining your own “voice” when you write. Note this does not mean maintaining your own opinion. This is something entirely separate. Voice is the unique word choices of the author that reflect the viewpoint they are arguing. Your “voice” is about WHO the reader ‘hears’ when they read your text. Are they ‘hearing’ what you have to say on the topic? Are your claims direct and authoritative ? Or, is your “voice” being drowned out by overuse or overreliance on external sources? This is why it is so important to understand that academic sources should ONLY be used to support what you have to say – your “voice”, NOT opinion – rather than being overused to speak on your behalf. This comes with practise and increased confidence in your own writing and knowing that you have something worth saying. Therefore, do plenty of background reading and research so that you can write from a well-informed position.

Hints and Tips

• First person pronouns (e.g., I, my, me) and second person pronouns (e.g., you, your, yours) (see Chapter 5).
• Contractions: as part of everyday conversational English, contractions have no place in formal academic writing. For example didn’t (did not), can’t (cannot), won’t (will not), it’s (it is – not to be confused with the pronoun its), shouldn’t (should not), and many more. Use the full words.
• Poor connectives: “but”, in particular is a very poor connective. Instead, refer to the signposting examples of however, although, nevertheless, yet, though. Also the overuse of “and”; try alternatives, such as plus, in addition, along with, also, as well as, moreover, together with.
• Avoid colloquial language.
• Avoid hyperbole .
• Avoid emotive language. Even in a persuasive text, appeal to the readers’ minds, not feelings.
• Avoid being verbose .
• Avoid generalizing .
• Avoid statements such as “I think”, “I feel”, or “I believe”; they are clear indicators of personal opinion.
• Do not begin a sentence with “and”, “because”, or digits – e.g., 75% of participants… Always begin a sentence with a word – Seventy-five percent.
• Do not use digits 0-9 as digits; write the whole word – zero, one, two, three. Once you get to double digits you may use the number – 10, 11, 12. The only exception to this rule would be sharing data or statistics, however the previous rule still applies.
• Academic vocabulary (sometimes this is discipline specific, such as technical or medical terms).
• Use tentative or low modal language when something you are writing is not definite or final. For example, could, might, or may, instead of will, definitely, or must.
• Be succinct .
• Include variance of sentence structure (see Chapter 7).
• Use powerful reporting verbs (see Chapter 14).
• Use clever connectives and conjunctions (see Chapter 5).
• Ensure you have excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Use accurate referencing, both in-text and the reference list (see Chapter 10).
• Ensure correct use of capital letters for the beginning of each new sentence and for all proper nouns .
• Lastly, use correct subject-verb agreement . For an excellent list of examples of subject-verb agreement, please refer to Purdue Online Writing Lab. [2]

Subject/Verb Agreement // Purdue Writing Lab

• Queen's University Belfast. (n.d.). Signposting. Learning Development Service. https://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/Filestore/Filetoupload,597684,en.pdf#search=signposting ↵
• Purdue University. (2021). Making subjects and verbs argree. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/subject_verb_agreement.html ↵

able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable

researched, reliable, written by academics and published by reputable publishers; often, but not always peer reviewed

informal, ordinary, everyday or familiar conversation, rather than formal speech or writing

obvious and intentional exaggeration; extravagant statement or figure of speech not to be taken literally

characterized by or pertaining to emotions; used to produce an emotional response

characterized by the use of many or too many words; wordy

to infer a general principle from particular facts; e.g., my five year old loves chocolate ice cream, therefore all five year olds love chocolate ice cream

concise expressed in few words

a verb used to report or talk about the ideas of others

used to link words or phrases together See 'Language Basics'

refer to a single entity; names of people, places, and things (e.g., cities, monuments, icons, businesses)

refers to the relationship between the subject and the predicate (part of the sentence containing the verb) of the sentence. Subjects and verbs must always agree in two ways: tense and number.

Academic Writing Skills Copyright © 2021 by Patricia Williamson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Analyze Tone in Literature

Last Updated: March 28, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Tristen Bonacci . Tristen Bonacci is a Licensed English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 478,082 times.

In literature, tone refers to the author's attitude toward the subject, characters or events of a story. [1] X Research source Understanding the tone of a literary work can help you become a better reader. You may also need to analyze the tone of a literary work for an essay or assignment for class. To analyze tone, start by recognizing common tones in literature. Then, determine the tone in a literary work and describe it effectively so you get high marks on your essay.

Recognizing Common Tones in Literature

• A good example of a solemn or gloomy tone is in the short story “The School” by Donald Barthelme.

• A good example of a suspenseful tone is in the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.

• A good example of a humorous tone is the poem “Snowball” by Shel Silverstein.

• A good example of a sarcastic tone is in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

• For example, if a story is set in an abandoned cabin the woods, it may have a creepy or unsettling mood. The author may then have a narrator or main character who uses a gloomy or depressing tone to describe the cabin in the woods to the reader.

Determining the Tone in a Literary Work

• For example, you may study a passage from the short story “The School:" “And the trees all died...I don't know why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasn't the best...All these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.”
• In the passage, Barthelme creates a solemn, gloomy tone by using words like “depressing,” “dead,” “died,” and “wrong.”

• For example, in many thriller novels, the sentences are often short and to the point, with very few adjectives or adverbs. This can help to create a suspenseful tone, full of action and tension.

• For example, if a person's face is described as “glowing with happiness and excitement,” this may create a joyful tone. Or if a cabin in the woods is described as “grimy with the fingerprints of the previous occupants,” this may create a suspenseful tone.

• For example, if someone says, “Good thing I wore my parka today” when the temperature is 85 °F (29 °C), they're using verbal irony.

• For example, you may read the following lines from The Catcher in the Rye out loud to determine the tone: “God damn money. It always ends up making you blue as hell.” The use of “god damn” and “blue as hell” gives the line a sarcastic or bitter tone, with a hint of humor and sadness.

• For example, a novel may begin with a humorous tone and shift into a more serious tone as the author delves deeper into a character's history or personal relationships.

Describing the Tone in a Literary Work

• For example, you may write, “The author uses words like “super,” “stoked,” “awesome,” and “exhilarating” to create an upbeat tone.”
• You can use more than one adjective if this will make your description more accurate.

• For example, if you are writing about The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, you may use the last line of the book as an example: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
• You can then note that the imagery of a boat going against the current as well as the use of the words “beat,” “borne,” and “past” create a solemn, nostalgic tone to the ending.

• Note if the tonal shifts coincide with specific characters and/or changes in perspective or viewpoint.
• For example, you may note, “The tone shifts in Chapter 13 from a humorous tone to a more serious tone. This occurs when the narrator discusses their mother's illness and death.”

• For example, you may link the nostalgic, solemn tone of the closing line in The Great Gatsby to the themes of remembrance, loss, and thwarted love in the novel.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-tone-literature-definition-and-examples
• ↑ https://literarydevices.net/tone/
• ↑ http://www.inetteacher.com/upload1/102670/docs/Tone-Mood%20Worksheet.pdf
• ↑ http://study.com/academy/lesson/tone-vs-mood-interpreting-meaning-in-prose.html
• ↑ Tristen Bonacci. Licensed English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
• ↑ http://literarydevices.net/syntax/
• ↑ https://literarydevices.com/irony/
• ↑ https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/services/writing-center/writing-resources/style-diction-tone-and-voice/
• ↑ https://www.apstudynotes.org/english/sample-essays/style-analysis-tone-of-voice-words/

About This Article

The tone of a piece of literature refers to the author’s attitude toward the characters, events, and subject matter of the story. The tone of a text can vary from solemn to suspenseful to humorous and lighthearted. To figure out the tone of a passage or text, look at the word choices and images the author uses. For instance, if there are lots of words associated with darkness and death, the tone’s probably quite gloomy. However, a writer can also make the piece humorous by using irony and subverting your expectations. Remember to link the tone to other elements like the plot, style, and major themes of the text to help you analyze it. For example, in The Great Gatsby, you could link the nostalgic, solemn tone of the closing line to the themes of loss, and thwarted love. For more tips from our Education co-author, including how to use sentence structure to analyze tone, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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148+ Types Tone In Writing With Examples

by Pankil Shah

Table of Contents

The tone of writing can create an overall impression that influences how people feel about what they read, whether positively or negatively.

You can write in many different genres and tones  — such as authoritative, questioning, or argumentative — but which one should you use? And how do these affect how your readers feel? Let’s dive in!

What Is Tone of Writing?

The tone of writing shows an author’s attitude or intent. The tone is the essence of the voice , which is how a writer conveys their thoughts to the reader. You can identify a writer’s tone through specific words, phrases, and sentence structures.

Tone can also reveal how certain parts of a written piece are meant to be interpreted by readers. For example, you could use irony or sarcasm when describing something unpleasant to demonstrate how terrible it was. 

What Is the Importance and Purpose of Tone of Writing?

When writing, you should consider what you want your audience to feel. Tone doesn’t just convey facts and information — it also aims to elicit emotions from your reader through persuasion. 

You have to be careful in choosing which kind of emotion or persuasive element works best for you and what type of relationship it creates with your readership. The tone should be used as an emotional motivator so the reader continues to read further and share your content with others. 

Whether you’re writing content for SEO , technical , or internal enablement purposes, understanding how to use tones in writing can be crucial to connecting with your target audience.

What Are the 9 Most Common Types of Tone?

1. appreciative tone.

An appreciative tone is usually used when the writer has just finished something that they really enjoyed or were impressed by. It should always come across as honest and genuine. 

Appreciative Tone Examples

• I loved your Essay Writing Service !
• That’s amazing; you’re so talented!

2. Cautionary Tone

A cautionary tone is typically used when something potentially dangerous or negative might happen. This type of tone uses harsh language and treats its subject very seriously. 

Cautionary Tone Examples

• Be careful driving in this area without your seatbelt on!
• Watch out for that crazy driver who just pulled out into traffic.

3. Diplomatic Tone

A diplomatic tone is notably used in communications between countries and for other international relationships. A diplomatic tone usually has a cautious undertone to it, as the writer doesn’t want to make any assumptions. The voices in this type of writing often have a detached quality that makes them sound formal.

Diplomatic Tone Examples

• It’s still unclear if we can trust these guys.
• Some people may struggle to believe what you’re saying.

4. Direct Tone

A direct tone is usually used in writing when the writer directly expresses what they are thinking. The text is written with a straightforward attitude without any sugar-coating or careful phrasing. 

Direct Tone Examples

• Your essay was very short!
• This problem is difficult to solve.

5. Enthusiastic Tone

An enthusiastic tone is typically used in writing when the writer is excited about something. The tone is often inviting and welcoming, even if the reason for the excitement is unclear. 

Enthusiastic Tone Examples

• I know you’re up to this challenge!
• You must try their tacos — I’ve never had anything better than them! 

6. Informative Tone

An informative tone is generally used in writing when the writer wants to impart knowledge about something. The information might be obtained through research or experience, but it’s always factual, with little-to-no emotions.

Informative Tone Examples

• You should avoid drinking alcohol within six hours before taking your medicine because it will reduce its effectiveness.
• Aloe vera is a popular plant in many countries, and it has been used as an important medicinal ingredient throughout the world.

7. Inspirational Tone

An inspirational tone is often used when somebody needs encouragement and support. The tone of an inspirational piece of writing is typically positive with a sense of hope that can motivate others.

Inspirational Tone Examples

• You can do anything you want, so good luck with the project! 
• Keep fighting your hardest; never give up!

8. Thoughtful Tone

A thoughtful tone is often used in writing when the writer expresses their feelings of caring about something. This type of tone focuses on an individual’s thoughts and emotions, not their actions.

Thoughtful Tone Examples

• She told me she loved me.
• I care about your success, so I think you should take this seriously.

9. Witty Tone

Witty writing often uses humor to make a point. A witty tone is typically more informal and can express playfulness or annoyance. This writing type of voice would fit well in blog posts, personal stories, or other writings that take place within the writer’s own life.

Witty Tone Examples

• The thing about this job is that it’s not what you expect after you get hired!
• My mom suggested I write about my experience. She doesn’t even know what my experience was!

145+ Types of Tones and Examples

1. absurd tone.

The absurdity of a sentence can help express frustration in an otherwise serious situation by using humor. This could be useful when you’re trying to explain your feelings but you’re struggling to find words. 

Absurd Tone Examples

• It’s just incredible how much money we made today! I hope we broke even.
• Wow, look at all these hungry mosquitoes hovering around me!

2. Accusatory Tone

An accusatory tone is used to express anger or irritation. This type of writing often appears in an article when someone feels wronged by someone else.

Accusatory Tone Examples

• If you’re too lazy to do your job properly, then I don’t want you working for me anymore!
• You’re not nearly as important as you think you are!

3. Acerbic Tone

An acerbic tone is often used when the writer feels anger toward somebody or something, maybe even about things that aren’t very serious. Acerbic writing tends to use sarcasm, irony, bitterness, cynicism, and scornfulness.

Acerbic Tone Examples

• You’re the only thing holding me back.
• I can’t believe they wouldn’t refund my five bucks!

4. Admiring Tone

An admiring tone often appears in writing when people are expressing their admiration, respect, or love for something or someone. It displays confidence and enthusiasm. 

Admiring Tone Examples

• I love your work!
• This beautiful dress looks amazing on you!

5. Aggressive Tone

An aggressive tone is often used in an argument or confrontation. It can be found in sentences that express anger, frustration, and other negative emotions. 

Aggressive Tone Examples

• You better tell your boss where you’re going next time!
• Just stay away from me.

6. Aggrieved Tone

An aggrieved tone can be defined as showing bitterness, anger, resentment, or disappointment. The tone is typically harsh.

Aggrieved Tone Examples

• I’m sorry you feel that way.
• I regret to say that I’m not going anywhere.

7. Altruistic Tone

An altruistic tone emphasizes the struggles of another individual or group. An altruistic tone shows empathy and understanding for others, without making them feel bad about themselves. 

Altruistic Tone Examples

• You’re not alone; thousands of others have gone through the same struggle as you!
• I struggled after my divorce, but now I’m happier than ever before; you’ll get there too. I’m here for you.

8. Ambivalent Tone

An ambivalent tone appears in writing when people are expressing their lack of enthusiasm. This type of sentence typically has a negative connotation.

Ambivalent Tone Examples

• I don’t know if I can make it to dinner tonight.
• I don’t have much to say about him.

9. Amused Tone

An amused tone is used in writing when the writer thinks something is humorous. The tone may be sympathetic or mocking, but it’s usually playful, not very serious. 

Amused Tone Examples

• I know how you feel about homework.
• Let’s just laugh at this together. 

10. Angry Tone

An angry tone is typically used when the writer wants to convey a sense of frustration or outrage. It can take different forms, such as passive-aggressive, defensive, or sarcastic. 

Angry Tone Examples

• I’m so mad right now!
• You need more than just luck — that won’t help you win this competition.

11. Animated Tone

An animated tone expresses the writer’s excitement for something. It could be excited about anything, like someone they love or a sports team winning.

Animated Tone Examples

• Did you see that dunk?
• I can’t believe it’s been ten years since we started dating!

12. Apathetic Tone

An apathetic tone is typically used when the writer feels unmotivated to do something. It can be seen in someone who doesn’t care what’s happening to someone else or has given up on their own efforts.

Apathetic Tone Examples

• I guess you’re out of luck today.
• I tried my best, but I can’t do anything for you. 

13. Apologetic Tone

An apologetic tone usually appears when the writer feels regret or embarrassment about something they’ve done. It’s genuine and sincere and usually spans multiple sentences.  

Apologetic Tone Examples

• I’m sorry if I offended you with my choice of words. I didn’t mean anything bad at all!
• I’m really sorry about this.

14. Ardent Tone

An ardent tone is typically used when people are expressing their strong feelings toward something or someone. The tone often comes across as passionate and emotional, with a positive connotation. 

Ardent Tone Examples

• I really think the party is on the right track.
• You’re not guilty until proven guilty!

15. Arrogant Tone

An arrogant tone typically indicates the writer feels superior to other people. It often displays condescension and dismissal of others, and it’s critical and belittling towards the reader.

Arrogant Tone Examples

• I’m not enjoying myself tonight because you’re here.
• You probably couldn’t even find the way home from your own driveway.

16. Assertive Tone

An assertive tone is usually used in writing when the writer is trying to make a strong point. An assertive tone can be seen as bossy or demanding, but it also means the author has confidence in their opinion. 

Assertive Tone Examples

• We need to book soon if we want this place for our wedding ceremony.
• I know I’ll never wear those shoes again!

17. Awestruck Tone

An awestruck tone is usually used when the writer is describing something that impresses them. An awestruck tone can be blissfully romantic. Awestruck writing speaks more to emotions than logic.

Awestruck Tone Examples

• The sky was absolutely beautiful.
• I am so amazed by his singing.

18. Belligerent Tone

A belligerent tone is typically used when a writer wants to express anger or irritation. This type of tone is often aggressive and can be frightening. It helps the writer express their thoughts as if they were screaming at somebody else. 

Belligerent Tone Examples

• This blog article was so inaccurate!
• You’re going down now!

19. Benevolent Tone

A benevolent tone is often used to express sentiments of love, affection, and appreciation. This type of writing focuses on helping or complimenting others. 

Benevolent Tone Examples

• I found this marvelous video for you about birds!
• You look wonderful today!

20. Bitter Tone

A bitter tone is typically used when somebody has been hurt or let down. The writer might resort to sarcasm or mocking the person that had wronged them. The tone is usually negative.

Bitter Tone Examples

• I was so excited to have dinner at my favorite restaurant, only for you to steal my seat!
• If he doesn’t give me back what’s mine, he’ll regret it.

21. Callous Tone

Callous writing tends to be cold, harsh, and without sympathy. The tone can also show aggression or anger. Callous sentences are usually negative in nature.

Callous Tone Examples

• That’s disgusting!
• I hate this place!

22. Candid Tone

A candid tone is typically used when the writer is speaking about something they aren’t completely sure about. A candid sentence has a non-judgmental or neutral stance, making the reader feel safe and accepted.

Candid Tone Examples

• I know you’ve been feeling terrible lately, so how can I help you?
• I’m not even sure how that works. Are you?

23. Caustic Tone

A caustic tone is negative and bitter. It usually appears when the writer has an issue with something or someone. A caustic tone can be very sharp in its delivery — even if it hurts someone’s feelings. 

Caustic Tone Examples

• I knew the day would come when you’d do something this stupid. Now I have to fire you.
• How dare you talk about my dog like that!

24. Celebratory Tone

A celebratory tone is typically used when somebody has accomplished something positive. Sometimes, it can refer to a generally positive situation or event. 

Celebratory Tone Examples

• Happy holidays!
• We’ve made some remarkable accomplishments this past year. Here’s to more growth in the future! 

25. Chatty Tone

A chatty tone is typically used when talking casually, a friendly. It’s more about the relationship between the two people than anything else. 

Chatty Tone Examples

• Hey, how have you been?
• What are your thoughts on the new karaoke app you downloaded last week?

26. Colloquial Tone

A colloquial tone typically involves slang or informal language. It can be found in day-to-day conversation and it often has a casual, friendly connotation. A colloquial tone is common in children’s books.

Colloquial Tone Examples

• I’m totally gonna win!
• This sucks! I need to get out here.

27. Comic Tone

A comic voice is typically used in writing when the writer is trying to make somebody laugh or find humor in a situation. It helps the readers enjoy what they’re reading. 

Comic Tone Examples

• I love you more than anything! Except for my shoes.
• This movie was so bad that we all died laughing!

28. Compassionate Tone

A compassionate tone is typically used when the writer feels deeply affected by someone else’s situation. Sentences with a compassionate tone of voice make their point clear but also leave the reader or listener space to think and respond.

Compassion Tone Examples

• I’m sorry you’re feeling down.
• It must be hard being away from your family during Thanksgiving.

29. Complex Tone

A complex tone is typically used when the writer wants to convey more than one message. This tone may include multiple meanings that aren’t always apparent, even after careful reading. It usually requires analyzing whole paragraphs to understand the idea.

Complex Tone Examples

• It was an interesting read for anyone who enjoys good references to quality literature, but I personally found that previous knowledge of the philosophy and ancient history mentioned throughout the novel was required.
• Norman had just left his car at home because he knew he would need his bike later. He was about to make an important trip that nobody else knew about.

30. Compliant Tone

A compliant tone is typically found in writing when someone is following recommendations or orders. The tone usually sounds respectful. Sentences with a compliant tone usually connote a relationship with authority and describe situations where explicit or implicit rules are followed.

Compliant Tone Examples

• I’ll make sure to bring my ID next time.
• We will stay off your property.

31. Concerned Tone

When people express concern, the tone usually conveys an air of empathy. This can be seen in writing as a low-key way to express emotions and thoughts about something worrying or troublesome. 

Concerned Tone Examples

• I hope everything is okay over there.
• Were things not going well?

32. Conciliatory Tone

A conciliatory tone is typically used when the writer is trying to improve the state of a conflict by making somebody feel better. A conciliatory tone, while not always positive, considers that people have different opinions on a certain subject. The author tries their best to make sure that both parties’ voices are understood. 

Conciliatory Tone Examples

• I shouldn’t have shouted at you last night. Let me explain what happened.
• I think that I was ultimately the cause of that disagreement.

33. Condescending Tone

A condescending tone is only used in writing when the writer has a superior position over the audience or as a joke. The tone can be snobbish or rude, but might be used to teach somebody something they might not know already, but should. 

Condescending Tone Examples

• You have been playing this game for too long without any real knowledge about strategy. I will show you how it should really be played.
• This will be a difficult task for you to master, but I will help you buckle down and improve.

34. Confused Tone

A confused tone is typically used when the writer is unsure about something or having a hard time understanding. This may also be used to express distress about something, with no clear path forward.

Confused Tone Examples

• I’m really not sure how this works. Can you help me?
• What did he say about me?

35. Contemptuous Tone

A contemptuous tone is typically used when the writer is expressing their distaste, scorn, or dislike. When somebody uses this tone, they often want to belittle, ridicule, and humiliate the subject in question. 

Contemptuous Tone Examples

• I don’t know why you think your opinion matters so much to me anyway!
• Did you even look at these papers? They’re terrible!

36. Critical Tone

A critical tone can be a way of offering feedback for improvement. Sentences with a critical tone may also be paired with positive or encouraging statements.

Critical Tone Examples

• You’re slipping with this project!
• You need to keep working just as hard as you have been until now.

37. Cruel Tone

A cruel tone conveys the hope that harm or violence comes upon somebody. It’s often utilized as a storytelling tool. A cruel tone often targets the audience’s emotions.

Cruel Tone Examples

• I hope you die in prison!
• You aren’t worth anything.

38. Curious Tone

A curious tone is typically used when expressing interest in something or someone that the writer hasn’t experienced before.

Curious Tone Examples

• What’s that animal?
• What should I know about Italy?

39. Cynical Tone

A cynical tone is a negative-sounding, skeptical approach. A cynical tone can come across with sarcasm or an air of superiority, possibly mocking others who are trying hard but seem unable to succeed. 

Cynical Tone Examples

• We would never get any customers if we took that approach to our business today.
• People are so lazy.

40. Defensive Tone

A defensive tone is typically seen in writing when the writer feels threatened. A defensive tone can be used for any situation where fear of criticism or confrontation is present. 

Defensive Tone Examples

• What do you mean by “not good enough”?
• You’re just jealous!

41. Defiant Tone

A defiant tone can be heard when a writer is trying to challenge or debate something. The tone itself may not show hostility toward an opponent. It more often comes from feeling frustrated with an idea that is being upheld by others without question.

Defiant Tone Examples

• I think the public is wrong on this one!
• I’m going to wear my hair like this whether you like it or not!

42. Demeaning Tone

A demeaning tone is typically used when the writer is trying to make somebody feel bad about a difficult experience. It might aim to manipulate the audience into doing something, whether complying with demands or changing their opinion. 

Demeaning Tone Examples

• You’re such an idiot.
• That’s ridiculous!

43. Depressing Tone

A depressing tone is typically used when the writer needs to emphasize a negative point. A depressing tone conveys sadness or pain. 

Depressing Tone Examples

• I cannot bear his absence anymore.
• His behavior was so cruel it broke my heart.

44. Derisive Tone

A derisive tone is typically used when the writer is trying to mock somebody about something they feel. A derisive tone may insult or dehumanize the subject but may also be used as comedy. 

Derisive Tone Examples

• Did you get ditched by your boyfriend? How pathetic!
• The girl chose her over me on the team. Typical.

45. Detached Tone

A detached tone is used when the writer feels distant from a situation. The tone can be expressive or dry. Detached writing often takes on an impersonal voice.

Detached Tone Examples

• She had been crying for hours now and just couldn’t feel anything anymore.
• It’s time to go home now because my work here is complete. I have no idea how long this place will exist once I’m gone.

46. Dignified Tone

A dignified tone is typically used when the writer wants to convey importance, seriousness, or value. This type of writing style tends to have an air that radiates authority without sounding intimidating or demanding.

Dignified Tone Examples

• You’re needed on the team right now, more than ever before!
• I think my work has made some heads turn lately.

47. Disappointed Tone

A disappointed tone is typically used when something was not received as wanted. This tone reflects the writer’s disappointment over a missed opportunity. 

Disappointing Tone Examples

• I’m sorry you couldn’t attend our meeting today. It would have been great if you could have come.
• When will my package arrive? It’s already four days late!

48. Disapproving Tone

A disapproving tone is typically used when the writer is trying to make somebody feel bad about something they are doing. This writing style tends to focus on correcting the audience’s behavior, actions, or decisions, even if this hurts their feelings.

Disapproving Tone Examples

• You had no right to leave your family like that!
• I am sorry you’re not happy with me, but this problem isn’t going anywhere on its own.

49. Disheartening Tone

A disheartening tone is typically used when something has gone wrong and the writer wants to convey a sense of sadness or despair. Disheartening writing often focuses on pointing out consequences rather than solutions.

Disheartening Tone Examples

• I hope you don’t get fired.
• The car was totaled in the accident.

50. Disparaging Tone

A disparaging tone can be used in a variety of circumstances, often when the writer is describing a scandal. 

Disparaging Tone Examples

• We shouldn’t trust them anymore; why should we continue this conversation?
• What did they think would happen? That was obvious!

51. Dispassionate Tone

A dispassionate tone is typically used when the writer wants to keep their opinions neutral. This type of writing doesn’t take a side or express any personal feelings about something. 

Dispassionate Tone Examples

• Let’s focus on the facts.
• I don’t know why you’re so angry.

52. Distressed Tone

A distressed tone in writing is often used when somebody or something has caused a problem. The writer uses a distressed tone to show the audience what has happened and how they feel about it. 

Distressed Tone Examples

• I’m so ashamed of how this company made me feel about my body while marketing these products!
• My friend is always doing terrible things, like stealing money from others.

53. Docile Tone

A docile tone is used when a writer wants to express they aren’t angry. A docile tone often expresses this through humility and gentleness. 

Docile Tone Examples

• I don’t really feel angry — I’m just tired today.
• You’re right about that.

54. Eager Tone

An eager tone is one of pleasure and delight. It typically appears when writing about something in the future that the writer finds very enjoyable or exciting. 

Eager Tone Examples

• I cannot wait to see the movie It.
• We had so much fun together last night; we’ve got to do it again sometime soon!

55. Earnest Tone

An earnest tone is typically used when somebody is being honest or sincere about something. An earnest tone shows the writer takes the situation more seriously than they normally would when joking. 

Earnest Tone Examples

• You must miss her very much right now.
• It’s an unfortunate situation, but I think it will be okay.

56. Egotistical Tone

An egotistical tone is used when somebody is showing off their accomplishments or talking about themselves in an inflated manner. The tone may be accompanied by bragging or elitism.

Egotistical Tone Examples

• It’s my company now.
• I’m great at math!

57. Empathetic Tone

An empathetic tone is typically used when the writer is expressing compassion for someone who has experienced some sort of hardship. In contrast with sympathy, empathy means understanding someone’s feelings, whether or not you share them. An empathetic tone describes writing that offers support to its audience by providing understanding without judgment or criticism.

Empathetic Tone Examples

• It’s hard to imagine how she felt during her darkest moment.
• I know you’re trying your best.

58. Encouraging Tone

An encouraging tone is typically used when the writer is trying to motivate somebody to tackle a challenge. An encouraging tone is about positivity, and it makes the audience feel good.

Encouraging Tone Examples

• I really believe you can do it!
• You’re doing great work here today.

59. Evasive Tone

An evasive tone is typically used when the writer doesn’t want to answer a question or disclose sensitive information. 

Evasive Tone Examples

• I don’t know what you’re talking about.
• What was your name again?

60. Excited Tone

An excited tone is typically used when a writer conveys enthusiasm for something. The speaker often becomes more animated and enthusiastic with each sentence. This can create some humor within the content as well.

Excited Tone Examples

• I’m so happy you’re here!
• The game was really close, but we won at the last second!

61. Facetious Tone

A facetious tone is often used when the writer and audience are sharing a joke or laughing together. Another type of facetious writing includes sarcasm, which is usually delivered ironically through an exaggerated sense of seriousness. 

Facetious Tone Examples

• How did you manage to get that easy project done in only a year? 
• I’d prefer you say that behind my back!

62. Flippant Tone

A flippant tone is used to convey the writer’s sarcasm or humor. Flippant writing may be humorous, insulting, or playful in nature and almost always comes across as lighthearted and carefree. 

Flippant Tone Examples

• I know how you feel! Let’s review this spreadsheet line-by-line.
• You must really love that flower if you named it after yourself. Real original!

63. Forceful Tone

A forceful tone is used when someone wants to get their point across or give an order. A forceful tone often has a negative connotation because it sounds very bossy and strong-willed. 

Forceful Tone Examples

• You still have two hours left on your shift!
• You need to clean your room before you leave.

64. Formal Tone

A formal tone is typically used in writing when the writer has to be professional and respectful. A formal tone is often more polite than a commanding tone but can still come across as condescending or snobbish. 

Formal Tone Examples

• They should have called for help earlier.
• It would be great if you could bring some drinks.

65. Frank Tone

A frank tone is typically used when a person does not care for the context of what’s going on. The writing sounds blunt and direct, sometimes rude, but its intention is helpful.

Frank Tone Examples

• You should rethink that!
• I don’t know why you were drinking so much last night, did something happen?

66. Frustrated Tone

A frustrated tone is typically used when the writer addresses something that has irked them. Frustrated writing usually expresses feelings of anger or annoyance.

Frustrated Tone Examples

• I don’t understand why she doesn’t want me to come over and see her house!
• Why can’t we just get one thing done without so much drama?

67. Funny Tone

A funny tone in writing is typically used to make somebody laugh. It’s usually a casual and lighthearted approach..

Funny Tone Examples

• I can’t believe you ate all those donuts without stopping to breathe!
• He laughed so hard his stomach hurt!

68. Gentle Tone

A gentle tone is used to communicate difficult information in a softer manner. The tone is never confrontational and may appear informal.

Gentle Tone Examples

• I’m sorry I caused you pain.
• It’s okay, we’re all still friends here.

69. Grim Tone

A grim tone is typically used when something bad has happened or a sad event is described. Sentences with a grim tone usually have an unhappy connotation and focus on how the writer feels.

Grim Tone Examples

• I hope she doesn’t stab me!
• That was a really unfortunate day.

70. Hard Tone

A hard tone is often used in writing when the author or speaker feels anger or wants to sound severe. A hard tone tends to be primitive and aggressive.

Hard Tone Examples

• He just broke the law!
• You just stole my money!

71. Humble Tone

A humble tone is typically used when a writer feels insecure or apologetic about themselves. With an honest, down-to-earth voice, humble writing can make readers feel close enough to relate to the subject matter.

Humble Tone Examples

• It really wasn’t that hard, and I had a lot of help.
• We honestly need your help right now!

72. Humorous Tone

A humorous tone is typically used when writing about something that isn’t serious. Humor can also provide comic relief from an otherwise stressful situation. 

Humorous Tone Examples

• I stop by that restaurant every day. Even when they’re closed.
• My dog is always so dramatic!

73. Hypocritical Tone

If someone is hypocritical, they act in contradiction of their stated values. A hypocritical tone can be used as humor to mock one’s own shortcomings.

Hypocritical Tone Examples

• Don’t be late like me.
• I didn’t know any better. You should!

74. Impartial Tone

An impartial tone is typically used to describe something accurately, without revealing any personal preference. 

Impartial Tone Examples

• The two teams came into the game evenly matched, and they both performed well today despite injuries and other obstacles brought about by playing so late at night.
• Please do your best to keep this discussion respectful. We want a productive debate on this issue.

75. Impassioned Tone

An impassioned tone is typically used when the writer is trying to make somebody feel the same strong feelings as them. 

Impassioned Tone Examples

• I was madly in love with him.
• The tears were streaming down his cheeks as the regret surged for what he had done.

76. Imploring Tone

An imploring tone is typically used to convey sincerity or regret. This tone is generally earnest; it emphasizes the writer’s need for help, attention, or understanding. 

Imploring Tone Examples

• Please help me out.
• I am so sorry.

77. Impressionable Tone

An impressionable tone is typically used when someone is moved by something. This type of writing may praise people, even if they aren’t successful yet.  

Impressionable Tone Examples

• You’re really talented at drawing!
• Your project seems to be off to a great start!

78. Incensed Tone

An incensed tone is typically used in writing when somebody or something infuriates the writer. It can also be used to describe a situation that is emotionally disturbing.

Incensed Tone Examples

• How dare you insult me!
• You’re fired!

79. Incredulous Tone

An incredulous tone is used when somebody finds something to be highly unlikely. An incredulous tone can show frustration with the subject.

Incredulous Tone Examples

• I can’t understand why you feel that way because I never said anything like that.
• That’s impossible!

80. Indignant Tone

An indignant tone is typically used when somebody is angry or frustrated, and exposing someone’s wrongdoing. This tone of voice often has an aggressive undertone.

Indignant Tone Examples

• I’m really tired! How long are we going to do this?
• That place clearly sucks!

81. Intense Tone

An intense tone is typically used when the writer needs to express a strong opinion. The intensity provides clarity and forcefulness. A sentence written with this type of tone may discuss controversial or dangerous topics.

Intense Tone Examples

• I find it offensive how you always ask me out for drinks whenever we are together!
• It’s my right to decide what kind of relationship I want!

82. Intimate Tone

An intimate tone is typically reserved for personal conversations. This type of writing often has a friendly and informal feel. The tone can be used when the reader and writer are bonded with an element of trust or closeness.

Intimate Tone Examples

• I hope you’re doing well!
• Your mom was telling me all about what happened last night. Are you okay?

83. Ironic Tone

An ironic tone uses a combination of sarcasm and humor. An ironic tone is often used by people who are trying to make lighthearted jokes about serious topics. With an ironic tone, speakers often say the opposite of what they feel.

Ironic Tone Examples

• What a coincidence! My mom got me into this program too!
• This is great weather for a funeral.

84. Irreverent Tone

An irreverent tone is typically used when the writer is trying to lighten up a situation or deliver humor. Speakers using an irreverent tone often don’t take themselves too seriously. 

Irreverent Tone Examples

• I don’t care what the experts say.
• Lighten up; it’s just your marriage.

85. Jaded Tone

A jaded tone is often used when the writer has lost hope in their work or life. A jaded tone doesn’t always have to be fully negative, but it does communicate a pessimistic opinion. 

Jaded Tone Examples

• I can’t find any meaning in life anymore.
• If you’re looking for answers, I don’t think you’re going to find them.

86. Joyful Tone

A joyful tone is used when celebrating something. It would be appropriate when writing about celebrations or events that are fun to read about. A writer uses a joyous tone when they want to make their audience feel better by using positive language and imagery. 

Joyful Tone Examples

• How wonderful!
• We’re having such a good time tonight!

87. Judgmental Tone

A judgmental tone is typically used when somebody makes a critical or harsh remark. A judgmental tone can be used when the author looks down on the subject matter. 

Judgmental Tone Examples

• The professor is not good enough!
• You need more effort put into your work.

88. Laudatory Tone

A laudatory tone is characterized by praise, adoration, or appreciation. This type of writing often has a positive connotation and is usually written with an air of reverence or solemnity.

Laudatory Tone Examples

• You are truly dedicated.
• Your work inspires me.

89. Lighthearted Tone

A lighthearted tone is used when the writer does not take anything very seriously. Lighthearted writing is generally casual and usually uses humor to put the audience at ease. 

Lighthearted Tone Examples

• I’d tell them they’re welcome to come back, but they’re not!
• It’s not a big deal. I know how you can fix this.

90. Loving Tone

A loving tone is typically used when people are talking to or about a close friend or family member. It can also be used in formal settings when the speaker expresses affection. 

Loving Tone Examples

• I loved the time we spent together!
• Let’s hang out on Friday night — we always have so much fun!

91. Macabre Tone

A macabre tone is typically used when writing about death, violence, and other dark subjects. This tone can be found in horror texts. It instills a sense of fear and dread.

Macabre Tone Examples

• I’m scared for my life!
• Nobody survived.

92. Malicious Tone

A malicious tone is often used when people are trying to hurt someone emotionally. The tone in this type of writing is usually aggressive. A malicious tone might be found in gossip articles that seek to ruin someone’s reputation.

Malicious Tone Examples

• Don’t get upset if you’re not invited to my party!
• I always have good taste. You’re the worst.

93. Mean-Spirited Tone

A mean-spirited tone is typically used when the writer is expressing their anger towards somebody or something. Mean-spirited writing implies that the subject is not worth wasting words on. 

Mean-Spirited Tone Examples

• I’m never buying from you again!
• I want nothing to do with you.

94. Mischievous Tone

A mischievous tone can be used when the speaker talks about something in a very reckless playful manner. It aims to exploit or mislead people, either seriously or as a joke.  

Mischievous Tone Examples

• If you’re going to Australia, watch out for drop bears!
• I’m sorry you feel like we were trying to take advantage of you; we would never do that!

95. Mocking Tone

A mocking tone is typically used to ridicule or make fun of someone. The mockery comes across as sarcastic and might contain condescending remarks. 

Mocking Tone Examples

• I was looking forward to your performance but you totally blew it!
• Why do I always have to lead you by the hand?

96. Mourning Tone

A mourning tone is something that often appears in writing when somebody feels regret or sadness after experiencing a loss. The tone can take different forms, from complimenting someone who has passed away to expressing profound sadness. 

Mourning Tone Examples

• I’m sorry for your loss, she was a really great person.
• It’s too late; all I have now are the memories.

97. Naïve Tone

A naïve tone is typically used when a writer lacks a full understanding of something. This tone has a sense of innocence to it. But it might also have some hidden meanings behind it. 

Naïve Tone Examples

• I can’t believe someone would steal from that store! There’s even a sign that says, “No shoplifting”!
• Doesn’t everyone study over spring break?

98. Narcissistic Tone

A narcissistic tone is often used in writing when the writer wants to emphasize their own importance and power. Narcissistic writing has a sense of entitlement and self-indulgence. 

Narcissistic Tone Examples

• I’m so amazing!
• I should totally write a memoir.

99. Nasty Tone

A nasty tone is typically used when the writer wants to convey negative emotions like hate. This type of writing may cause the reader to feel discomfort.  

Nasty Tone Examples

• You’re ugly!
• You did a terrible job on that presentation last week.

100. Negative Tone

A negative tone often appears in writing when someone is expressing a low opinion of something or somebody. The speaker’s voice might have a sense of frustration and defeat as if the subject isn’t worth their time.

Negative Tone Examples

• Success is impossible!
• You’ve done everything wrong again.

101. Nostalgic Tone

Nostalgic writing is typically used when the writer describes memories they feel sentimental about. A nostalgic tone can be seen as more of a thought or feeling than a concrete statement, but it still provides information about what was happening at the time in question. 

Nostalgic Tone Examples

• The old days were so much better!
• When I think back on my high school years, I wish I was young again.

102. Objective Tone

An objective tone is used when explaining or describing an idea, place, or event. Objective writing avoids stating any personal feelings and simply provides facts with no bias. The audience can then form their own opinion.

Objective Tone Examples

• There are many different species within the animal kingdom.
• New York is 205 miles from here.

103. Obsequious Tone

An obsequious tone is typically used when a writer is trying to find the favor of somebody else. For some, this could feel too familiar and cause offense, while others may find it charming. 

Obsequious Tone Examples

• I am so, so sorry that I offended you!
• I know you’re very generous. Please consider giving me the extra 5%.

104. Optimistic Tone

An optimistic tone is typically used when the writer is trying to make somebody feel better about something they are going through. Optimistic writing tries to make the audience feel good about themselves. 

Optimistic Tone Examples

• It’s okay if you weren’t able to find your keys; we can start looking again tomorrow morning after breakfast!
• He’s probably interested. You should call him back.

105. Outraged Tone

An outraged tone is typically used when the speaker or writer wants to express their anger towards something. An outraged tone is generally negative about something external but also shows internal anger and frustration.

Outraged Tone Examples

• It’s unfair how people on my team get paid more than me!
• I’m so angry right now. I feel sickened by what she said about her cousin during dinner last night.

106. Outspoken Tone

An outspoken tone is typically used when somebody is talking about an emotional or controversial subject. Outspoken writing comes across as bluntly honest and straightforward without being disrespectful. 

Outspoken Tone Examples

• No matter how long it’s been in place, this policy needs to change.
• What he said was very racist.

107. Patronizing Tone

A patronizing tone is typically used in writing when somebody is trying to show dominance or superiority. The tone often has an air of condescension and it shows a lack of respect for others.

Patronizing Tone Examples

• You’re not even worth my time!
• I see you’re struggling today. You need my help to get out of this mess.

108. Pensive Tone

A pensive tone describes a kind of introspective, thoughtful feeling. A pensive sentence usually has an air of uncertainty about it and often deals with something new or unfamiliar. 

Pensive Tone Examples

• I’m starting to worry now; what if my grades start slipping?
• I’ve never felt this way before.

109. Persuasive Tone

A writer uses a persuasive tone when trying to convince somebody else to see things from a particular point of view. A persuasive tone uses reasoning and evidence-based arguments or emotional appeals to try and change the reader’s perspective.

Persuasive Tone Examples

• Let’s go eat lunch. I’m sure you’ll like the restaurant.
• It’s getting dark, so we should start heading home now.

110. Pessimistic Tone

A pessimistic tone can appear in writing when somebody is feeling hopeless or devastated about something. This tone usually takes the form of a narrative that reflects on how much worse things may get. 

Pessimistic Tone Examples

• They’re never going to approve your plan without you changing your approach!
• I’m so fed up. I didn’t think things could get this bad.

111. Philosophical Tone

A philosophical tone is often used in writing that focuses on an abstract topic or idea. A philosophical tone typically shows the writer is analyzing something, by questioning everything within a particular framework. 

Philosophical Tone Examples

• What if we decide not to do anything?
• I wonder why my life is this way.

112. Playful Tone

A playful tone has an air of innocence and can sometimes be seen as frivolous or not serious, but it doesn’t lack creativity. The playful tone makes light of situations; it gives off a sense that everything will work out in time. 

Playful Tone Examples

• I never thought my teacher would have so much trouble understanding my writing!
• This is quite a conundrum!

113. Pragmatic Tone

A pragmatic tone is typically used when information has to be delivered in a short amount of time. The speaker focuses on practical solutions and results. 

Pragmatic Tone Examples

• Although it might be difficult, you need to tell the truth to fix this.
• Did that work out the way we wanted?

114. Pretentious Tone

A pretentious tone is typically used when the writer feels they have something to teach. This type of writing can be condescending and arrogant because it assumes a certain lack of knowledge on the part of the audience. 

Pretentious Tone Examples

• To get ahead, you need to learn how to be the best.
• This theory is probably beyond your understanding.

115. Regretful Tone

A regretful tone is typically used when people express heartbreak, disappointment, or remorse. Sentences with a regretful tone usually have a negative connotation.

Regretful Tone Examples

• I feel sorry for what happened to you during your first day at school today.
• I should have helped you this morning instead of pushing you so hard.

116. Resentful Tone

A resentful tone often appears in writing when someone feels betrayed or upset by something that happened to them. A resentful tone is typically aggressive and hostile, and it implies a lack of trust in the relationship between the writer and the subject matter. 

Resentful Tone Examples

• I don’t think you’re being honest about this project!
• It’s your fault we lost our jobs.

117. Resigned Tone

A resigned tone is typically used when the writer feels hopeless about a situation. Resigned writing usually comes across as pessimistic or numb, which might create an uncomfortable feeling for the reader if it’s too long-winded. 

Resigned Tone Examples

• I know you didn’t mean that; I’m just sick of trying to make this work.
• This situation will never get any better.

118. Restrained Tone

A restrained tone is typically used when the writer holds something back, such as information or emotions. A restrained tone often implies a sense of mystery and confidentiality, as well as calm. This can show many different shades of meaning depending on the situation.

Restrained Tone Examples

• I don’t have any opinion of my boss.
• I’m not supposed to reveal much, so don’t tell anybody about this.

119. Reverent Tone

A reverent tone is typically used when people are writing about things they look up to or respect. This is particularly associated with religion. A reverent tone can be seen in texts that express wonder for the subject.

Reverent Tone Examples

• How I wish there were more saints like you.
• We all need God’s love.

120. Ridiculous Tone

A ridiculous tone can be described as being very far-fetched or inane. The writer knows the audience won’t believe them, but still tries to convince them anyway. 

Ridiculous Tone Examples

• This report says there’s a new type of fish called Dorito Fish.
• And that’s why I couldn’t finish my homework.

121. Righteous Tone

A righteous tone is commonly used in writing when the writer is defending their belief system, such as upholding a particular cause. A righteous tone showcases the writers’ virtuousness, as having moral authority over the audience. 

Righteous Tone Examples

• I’ll show you the proper way to act.
• You’re making things worse by doing this.

122. Sarcastic Tone

Sarcastic writing is often used as a form of humor. It can be insulting or witty depending on the tone and style of the writer. Sarcasm is not as common in written form, because the words’ inflection matters. 

Sarcastic Tone Examples

• I am so upset that my perfect life has been ruined by this homework assignment!
• Oh yes, everyone loves you here.

123. Satirical Tone

A satirical tone is typically used to poke fun at or criticize something or someone, particularly a public figure. In contrast to a sarcastic tone, a satirical tone is less aggressive.

Satirical Tone Examples

• Although the program was a complete failure, I’m sure we can all agree this money was well spent.
• We might be able to find a better leader. Anyone, really.

124. Scathing Tone

A scathing tone is used when the writer feels a strong need to make a negative argument or express their frustrations with something. This type of writing usually has a lot of hostility.

Scathing Tone Examples

• The article seems very biased. I’m going to have to disagree with that opinion!
• That was unsafe. You’re lucky you didn’t get your car totaled!

125. Scornful Tone

A scornful tone is typically used when the writer is trying to show they dislike somebody. A scornful tone looks down on, criticizes, or belittles the subject. The writer might resort to name-calling or questioning people’s motives. 

Scornful Tone Examples

• That was careless!
• You thought that was an okay thing to do? Really?

126. Sensationalistic Tone

A sensationalistic tone is used in writing to create a sense of excitement. The tone usually comes across as dramatic, with words that are meant to make an emotional impact on the audience. It can come off as propaganda, not as an informative piece.

Sensationalistic Tone Examples

• Is he really dead?
• You won’t believe what happens next!

127. Sentimental Tone

A sentimental tone is typically used when the writer wants to share memories or feelings about something special or personal. Sentimental writing often focuses more on feelings and emotions than it does on facts and ideas.

Sentimental Tone Examples

• It was hard for me to say goodbye, but I am really happy about what you’re planning to do next!
• Marrying my high school sweetheart felt like a dream come true.

128. Sincere Tone

A sincere tone is typically used when the writer is trying to convey a sense of truth, authenticity, or honesty. Sincere sentences lack pretense and rhetorical flourishes.

Sincere Tone Examples

• It was freezing out there today! You must be cold.
• I’m sorry for being so nasty yesterday at work. I was having a very stressful day.

129. Skeptical Tone

A skeptical tone can be used in writing when the writer is expressing doubt about something. It often appears in a formal setting, with a great emphasis on accuracy. This tone is also often common in investigative journalism.

Skeptical Tone Examples

• The results reported by this study are unreliable because they were not peer-reviewed prior to publication.
• This product has ingredients that have been shown to cause cancer and other diseases if ingested over time.

130. Solemn Tone

A solemn tone is typically used when the writer has a very serious topic to discuss. It’s often used in writing about death or other negative topics that call for sympathy from readers. 

Solemn Tone Examples

• Emma passed away yesterday at 2 pm after battling cancer for three years.
• On what could have been his last day alive, he made a courageous decision.

131. Subjective Tone

A subjective tone is a type of writing that primarily uses feelings to convey meaning. It’s often used when someone is very emotional about something, whether this concerns positive or negative emotions. 

Subjective Tone Examples

• I think this party was terrible!
• I feel like everybody will be interested in this book.

132. Submissive Tone

A submissive tone is typically used when someone is following orders or trying to show agreement. A submissive tone usually expresses that someone wants approval. 

Submissive Tone Examples

• I’ll do it your way.
• I’ve followed your instructions in the letter.

133. Sulking Tone

A sulking tone is typically used when somebody is feeling upset, frustrated, or even moderately angry about something. A sentence with this tone usually reflects feelings of loneliness and sorrow, and the speaker may blame others for the situation.

Sulking Tone Examples

• I don’t know why you did what you did.
• That was so inconsiderate.

134. Surprised Tone

A surprised tone is used when the writer wants to express awe or amazement. Typically, a surprised tone has an emotional impact on its audience because it tries to capture a larger-than-life feeling.

Surprised Tone Examples

• I can’t believe this happened!
• The fireworks tonight were mind-blowing!

135. Sympathetic Tone

A sympathetic tone is usually used when the writer wants to show they feel the pain of somebody who is going through a difficult time. In contrast with empathy, sympathy means sharing the same feelings as someone else. 

Sympathetic Tone Examples

• You must be so disappointed after waiting all year for your team to make the playoffs, only to fall short.
• I feel sorry for you right now.

136. Tolerant Tone

A tolerant tone is typically used in writing when the writer wants to show compassion for someone who has done something wrong or has different views. Tolerance doesn’t mean adopting someone else’s views but rather being patient in considering people’s differences instead of reacting negatively.

Tolerant Tone Examples

• I’m not sure I agree with what you said to your sister. Can you tell me more about what happened?
• Let your kids know that you love them no matter what!

137. Tragic Tone

A tragic tone is typically sad and heartfelt, often describing a dark or depressing situation. A tragic tone can be used to show the feelings of someone who has experienced a loss. A tragic tone explores how people feel.

Tragic Tone Examples

• I remember the horror of the night when all this happened.
• She’s been struggling since her parents passed away last year.

138. Unassuming Tone

An unassuming tone typically shows the writer feels humble or conscious of their lack of knowledge. An unassuming tone can be used to express thoughts on a topic without claiming expertise.

Unassuming Tone Examples

• I feel pretty insecure about myself these days, and I’m not sure how I should go forward.
• You seem to know what you’re doing. Can you show me?

139. Uneasy Tone

An uncomfortable tone is typically used when the writer feels unsure about something or is hesitant to write about a topic. They might have conflicting thoughts or they might think the topic is unpleasant.

Uneasy Tone Examples

• This was not a fun article to write.
• I’m not comfortable sharing this information and would like to keep it confidential for the time being.

140. Urgent Tone

An urgent tone is typically used when the writer has a sense that something needs to be done quickly. The urgency can come from both external and internal sources. 

Urgent Tone Examples

• Please read this article as soon as possible! You need to decide whether we should proceed with tomorrow night’s show at your venue.
• To win this race, I need you all to do one more push now.

141. Vindictive Tone

A vindictive tone often appears in writing when the writer is expressing anger, hatred, or resentment for something and wants to take revenge.

Vindictive Tone Examples

• I cannot believe you did this!
• That’s it! I’m going to tell everyone why he dumped me in high school!

142. Virtuous Tone

A virtuous tone is used in writing when someone is trying to recommend an action or make a moral statement. It displays confidence and enthusiasm, and it promotes good values. 

Virtuous Tone Examples

• You should look into getting some financial advice.
• That was a very warm gesture. Thank you.

143. Weary Tone

A weary tone is typically used when a person has been through a lot, either emotionally or physically. This tone shows that the speaker is tired and feels beaten down, and it can sound very pessimistic.

Weary Tone Examples

• I’ve had enough. Let’s head home for good.
• I’m in a lot of trouble. There’s no easy solution.

144. Whimsical Tone

A whimsical tone is often used in creative writing, such as poetry or fiction. This type of voice can be playful and fun-spirited while also being candid. It makes the reader have fun in the experience. 

Whimsical Tone Examples

• That was a bizarre experience, and I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.
• As I went out into my backyard just now, I saw a weird frog. It looked like your aunt!

145. Worried Tone

A worried tone is typically used when somebody is feeling anxious, insecure, or frustrated about something. A worried tone would also characterize someone who does not understand why they are experiencing certain feelings of anxiety or insecurity.

Worried Tone Examples

• Let’s stay home tonight. There’s too much unrest in this city.
• I’m so embarrassed. What will people think?

146. Wretched Tone

A wretched tone is typically used to describe something that has caused great suffering to the writer or subject. Sentences in a wretched tone are always negative, with most of them expressing anger, pain, and resentment.

Wretched Tone Examples

• I’m so frustrated by how my parents raised me.
• She wasn’t welcome back home after being away for over six months. It would take much longer to heal.

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How to Write a Tone Analysis Essay

Nadine smith.

Tone refers to the attitude of a writer toward the subject he is writing about. A writer can convey his attitude directly, by stating his opinion, or indirectly, through his choice of vocabulary and stylistic elements. As an essay writer, your job consists of investigating the purpose or significance of the author's tone.

Explore this article

• Every Text Contains an Emotion
• Every Emotion Has a Reason
• Every Solid Thesis Requires Proof
• Every Essay Follows a Structure

1 Every Text Contains an Emotion

Relationships, love, politics, a person, the past or life in general can all serve as subjects a writer could maintain an attitude or opinion toward, conveyed through diction, punctuation, sentence structure or other technical or poetic elements. Key to determining the tone of a text is discerning the writer's emotion, which could include humor, seriousness, sarcasm, cheerfulness, anger and much more, whether in fiction or nonfiction. Even a business brochure conveys a formal, professional tone of voice; sincerity, solemnity and frankness count as emotions too. A sales flier might present product prices enthusiastically, with hyperbolic expressions such as "Can't be beat" or "Hurry in before it's too late," followed by multiple exclamation marks.

2 Every Emotion Has a Reason

Once you've determined the writer's attitude or approach to the theme or subject matter, you must also establish its significance. In other words, you need to convince your reader why the tone of this text is important to the rest of the text, or what point the writer is trying to convey, whether deliberately or inadvertently, through the tone. For example, in the Victorian comedy novel "Cranford," the narrator speaks of the village of Cranford in both a humorous and affectionate tone, noting that the people of Cranford have their own little quirky beliefs and "isms" -- such as "sour-grapeism "-- but also endearingly describing Cranford as leaving people feeling "peaceful and satisfied." Humor, which exposes the silly, artificial customs of class that Cranford clings to, and affection, which sees the benefits of these customs, work together to ironically demonstrate how superficial societal rules can build genuine, loving community. This argument about how tone -- in this case, humor and affection -- functions in a novel constitutes a sound, debatable thesis.

3 Every Solid Thesis Requires Proof

To prove such a thesis, an essay writer needs to carefully comb through the novel "Cranford" to find examples where seemingly artificial customs actually demonstrate or produce community. Precise definitions of terms, such as "community" and "custom," help strengthen an essay's persuasiveness by adding clarity, hindering any objections a reader may have. Each example from the text that illustrates themes, such as custom and community, must also include a discussion of their relation to the dominant tone or tones of the text, in this case humor and affection. Readers should be able to maintain a continuous understanding of the connection between the role of tone (as declared in the thesis) and the specific evidence presented subsequently.

4 Every Essay Follows a Structure

As with a typical essay, the evidence for the thesis should follow in the body paragraphs of the essay. The standard number of major proofs, or premises, of an essay is three, and each usually requires one paragraph or more. The thesis about tone belongs in the introductory paragraph, and definitions about relevant terms or any introductory discussion of the importance or definition of tone belong here as well. In the case of an essay about "Cranford," some observations about the surprising findings regarding the positive outcomes of societal customs might effect an interesting conclusion.

• 1 Literary Devices: Tone
• 2 Harvard University: Literary Terms and Definitions:T
• 3 California State University: How to Write a Good Thesis Statement

About the Author

Nadine Smith has been writing since 2010. She teaches college writing and ESL courses and has several years experience tutoring all ages in English, ESL and literature. Nadine holds a Master of Arts in English language and literature from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, where she led seminars as a teaching assistant.

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How to Write Conversationally: An (Almost) COMPLETE Guide with 18 Examples

by Henneke | 221 enchanting opinions, add yours? :)

She’s reading her draft post.

And she doesn’t like the tone of her writing at all.

Why is it so hard to engage her readers?

Helena is an expert in climate change, and she’d like to write in a conversational tone …

As if she’s explaining climate change to a friend while sipping an ice tea at the town plaza. The pigeons are strutting around her, bobbing their heads and pecking at the crumbs on the pavement.

But, somehow, her writing always sounds too academic, too formal, too difficult, too stuffy, too boring.

What can she do?

How to write conversationally

Some say …

Just write like you talk.

But it doesn’t always work like that.

Yes, when you write a quick email or social media update, it’s possible to jot down your thoughts as if you’re actually chatting on the phone.

But when writing long-form content or when you’re still figuring out your ideas, writing in a conversational tone is more challenging. A draft often sounds writerly, and you have to massage it until it becomes more informal.

As Elmore Leonard suggested:

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

Want to know how?

How to edit a writerly text

To turn a formal text into a friendly conversation, follow 3 steps:

Take out the writerliness

See techniques 1 – 4 below >>

Turn your writing into a conversation

See techniques 5 – 8 below >>

Add an air of casualness (optional)

See techniques 9 – 14 below >>

Shall I show you?

I. Take out the writerliness

The basis of conversational writing is a simple text so readers can follow your ideas with ease:

• Eliminate complicated sentences >>
• Avoid the passive voice >>
• Replace writerly words >>
• Use transitional words often >>

Here are some examples …

1. Eliminate complicated sentences

Complicated sentences are a sure sign of writerliness.

So, keep your sentences simple and mostly short. The occasional long sentence is fine—as long as each sentence is easy to read.

For instance, Elizabeth Strout uses a conversational tone in her book Lucy by the Sea , and she doesn’t shy away from a long sentence:

He was seventy-one years old then, but he, kind of, I think, must have been plunged into some sort of midlife crisis, or older man crisis, with the loss of his much younger wife moving out and taking their ten-year-old daughter, and then his half-sister’s not wanting to see him and his finding out that his mother had not been who he’d thought she had been.

When I read Strout’s sentence, it’s almost like I can hear her talk. Can you, too?

The sentence above is easy to read because it starts with its core ( he was seventy-one years old ) and then expands. Moreover, filler phrases ( kind of, I think ) add a casual tone.

So, the key to conversational writing is not to keep all your sentences short but to keep your sentences simple. Communicate your ideas tiny step by tiny step.

2. Avoid the passive voice

Pay attention to everyday conversations, and you’ll note that most sentences use the active voice:

I went to the shops to get the groceries. I cooked a colorful stirfry with lots of veggies and prawns. We had dinner together.

The passive voice feels more writerly, less natural:

The groceries were purchased by Henneke. A colorful stirfry was prepared, and dinner was eaten.

I wouldn’t say that. Would you?

So, if you want to sound less writerly, try to avoid the passive voice.

3. Replace writerly words

Only use jargon if you’re writing for an expert audience who use that jargon themselves, too.

Otherwise, please …

Skip the posh words and gobbledygook.

Use everyday words instead.

For instance, jeans manufacturer Hiut Denim describes what they do in short sentences, using simple words:

We make jeans. That’s it. Nothing else. No distractions. Nothing to steal our focus. No kidding ourselves that we can be good at everything. No trying to conquer the whole world. We will just do our best to conquer our bit of it. So each day we will come in and make the best jeans we know how.

Note the everyday expressions above: That’s it; no kidding ourselves; we will just do our best; our bit of it.

Not sure which words to use?

Think of a face-to-face conversation with one of your favorite readers. What words would you use then?

4. Use transitional words often

Soooo …

When we talk, we use transition words to string our thoughts together.

Those transition words tend to be simple: When, if, and, but, or, because, so .

However, when we try to impress with our writing, we use more writerly transitions such as: Therefore, in contrast, additionally, furthermore, nonetheless, thus, subsequently, in conclusion.

Copywriter Gary Halbert is known for his conversational style, and the casual phrase anyway is one of his favorite transition words. It makes his writing sound as if he’s chatting to you. This is from his book The Boron Letters :

So anyway, today I’m going to start by telling you about a little trick that will improve your copywriting.

Anyway, a couple paragraphs back I wrote: “and if you can find a way to use it, you can dramatically increase your sales volume.” Now, compare that to this: “and if you can find a way to use it, you can make yourself a bushel of money!” Isn’t that a lot more powerful? You bet! The words “dramatically increase your sales volume” do not even begin to conjure up the visual imagery of “a bushel of money.”

Transition words create flow and help readers follow your text from one sentence to the next.

Moreover, if you choose simple transition words and use them often, your text will sound more conversational.

II. Turn your writing into a conversation

The 4 techniques below are the essence of conversational writing:

• Remember who you’re writing for >>
• Address your reader with the word you >>
• Ask questions >>
• Add personal comments (optional) >>

Here’s how …

5. Remember who you’re writing for

Good writing is a conversation with your reader.

And to make your conversation meaningful, remind yourself who you’re writing for. Who are they? What do they want to know? What’s their reaction to your writing?

When they shake their head because they disagree, you can counter their objections. When they don’t understand a phrase, you can replace or explain it. When a question pops up in their mind, answer it.

It can be hard to write a first draft with your reader in mind. Just formulating your thoughts is challenging enough.

So, once you’ve written that draft, try distancing yourself a little from yourself as the writer. Try not to be too precious about your words, and read them through the eyes of your reader. How can you make your text clearer and more engaging?

The better you can imagine your reader’s reaction, the more engaging your conversation with them will be.

6. Address your reader

In a face-to-face situation, you talk a bit about yourself, right?

And you also address the person you’re talking to?

Well, it’s the same in conversational writing. You address your reader with the word you , and you talk a little about me .

For instance, Mark Manson’s blog reads like a conversation with his readers because he addresses readers directly. This is from a blog post about feelings :

Look, I know you think the fact you feel upset or angry or anxious is important. That it matters. Hell, you probably think that because you feel like your face just got shat on makes you important. But it doesn’t. Feelings are just these … things that happen.

If you want to have a conversation with your reader, don’t create a monologue. Use the words you and your more often than the words me , my , and I .

7. Ask questions

Questions are probably my favorite conversational writing technique . For instance, here’s how I open a blog post on editing a sentence :

Do you ever wonder how others edit their writing? Me, too. So, picture my delight when I came across a fabulous example of revision … By a bestselling author!

And I start the sales page for the Enchanting Copywriting course like this:

Do you ever find yourself staring at a blank sheet? Struggling to find the right words to sell without feeling sleazy? You’re not alone. Persuasive writing is probably one of the most precious skills anyone in business can possess. But at school, we’ve not learned the art of persuasion. We’ve not learned how to write compelling content. We’ve not learned how to sell without feeling pushy.

Want to engage your readers?

Ask questions. Ask them whether they’re struggling with the problem you’re helping them solve. Or ask them whether they’d like to achieve that aim you can help them with.

Of course, asking questions only works if you understand your reader and if you know what’s bothering them and what they’re dreaming off.

8. Add personal comments

I discovered this trick for conversational writing only recently …

Add a personal comment between parentheses.

This technique is not widely used but it works like a dream.

The following snippet is from the memoir It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) by Nora McInerny Purmort:

This is for people who have been through some shit—or have watched someone go through it. This is for people who aren’t sure if they’re saying or doing the right thing (you’re not, but nobody is).

Above, McInerny Purmort first addresses her readers as a crowd ( This is for people who … ); it sounds less conversational.

But then she adds a comment between parentheses, addressing her reader directly ( you’re not, but nobody is ). That’s when it feels she’s talking with you.

As we’ve seen so far, to write conversationally, first edit your text so it’s simple and clear.

Next, turn your writing in a conversation with your reader: Know who you’re having a conversation with, address them with the word you , ask them questions, and if you like, add personal comments between parentheses.

Lastly, there’s one more optional step …

III. Add an air of casualness

Not all conversational writing needs a casual tone.

So, think about your readers. What’s the right tone for a conversation with them?

Then, try the following techniques:

(this is a safe technique that almost anyone can use)

(uhm … maybe not for everyone)

< waves hello >

(in mucho moderation)

(if you muuuuust)

Let me show you some examples …

9. Use contractions

Contractions merge two words together. It’s what we do when we speak all the time.

For example:

Using contractions is probably the most common and easiest technique for informal writing.

10. Try interjections

For more casualness, try interjections such as Phew. Duh. Whoah! Yay! Yikes. Ugh.

I occasionally use interjections in my writing:

What’s the most boring punctuation mark? I used to think that award should go to parentheses. They seem to smell like math exams in sweaty classrooms. Ugh.

Has it happened to you, too? In your mind, you’ve composed your next article. Perhaps while walking your dog or on your commute. You feel excited, because you know exactly what you want to write, and you think your readers will love it. Yay!

Even Apple uses interjections sometimes. For instance, when they write about the iPhone 14 :

Water resistance. (Phew.)

Interjections are shortcuts to expressing emotions.

Use them in moderation.

11. Use filler words

When we talk, we use filler phrases to give us time to think or to add emphasis.

Filler phrases include: I mean, you know, actually, so, yeah, well, sure enough, here’s the thing, why bother, hang on, like.

Here’s how Sara Gibbs ends her book Drama Queen: One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels :

Right . . . Well, it’s getting late and I’ve got to get dinner on. Ah, crap, you’re never going to believe that. You know I’m not the one who cooks dinner. OK, uh . . . I think my cat is asking for me. No? I have to go; my husband’s on fire. God. Fine, you’ve got me. I have no idea how to end this book. I’m as good as getting out of conversations as I am at instigating them. I will leave you with these words – which I recently blurted out before hanging up on a confused GP’s receptionist: ’K, love you, bye!

As Tony Hoagland points out in his book The Art of Voice , filler words can be key to creating a voice that connects. They can create a sense of warmth, of companionship. A voice sounds more real.

But, of course, filler words make your writing less concise. And, as you can sense in the snippet by Gibbs above, a lot of filler words make writing exhausting to read.

So, think about what works for you and your audience. And, also, read your writing aloud. Does it flow naturally or does it become exhausting?

It’s up to you to find the balance between being concise and being more chatty.

12. Add gestures

Your keyboard doesn’t allow you to put hand gestures into a text.

Or does it?

< shrugs shoulders >

So, this is the trick:

You can put hand gestures or facial expressions between angled brackets.

< raises eyebrows >

It’s like putting emoticons into words.

Angled brackets can also be used to < checks notes > create a pause in your writing. Here’s Ann Handley in a recent newsletter :

You think you have a handle on a problem or a situation or a topic. You sit down to write: hands hover over laptop, claws ready to clack the keys, itching to go! Let’s GO! < seconds pass > < is it a minute already? > Your mind wanders.

Putting gestures or other comments between angled brackets can add personality to your writing. But always consider: Is this the right tone for the conversation you’re having? Or do you prefer a more concise conversational style?

Oh, and if you don’t like angled brackets, you can use *asterisks* instead.

Or, if you want to create a pause, just adding an ellipsis (…) is a neat trick, too.

13. ALL CAPS

I’m a little hesitant to mention this technique.

Because it should be used sparingly. Very sparingly.

ALL CAPS is a bit like shouting.

But the thing is this: When we talk, we can whisper, or shout, or sing.

And we can’t do that in our writing.

So, how can we emphasize our words instead?

My preferred method is to choose stronger words: Emotional words (such as despair, joyful, enchanting ) or sensory words (such as dazzling, gloomy, prickly, sweet ).

But sometimes, you may want to use ALL CAPS for extra emphasis.

For instance, Ramit Sethi occasionally uses ALL CAPS on his sales pages, like here :

There are tons of books, courses, and articles about confidence. “How to be confident at work!” “How to stop being shy on dates!”, “How to make everybody at a party love you!” The list goes on and on. The #1 piece of advice in all these materials is: “Just be yourself!” VOMIT.

And Joe Tracini also uses ALL CAPS occasionally in his memoir Ten Things I Hate About Me :

I’m scared. Terrified, really. I’m scared of what you’ll think of me, because even though I don’t know you, I don’t want to disappoint you, and I am desperate to be liked by EVERYBODY AT ALL TIMES. (Seriously. If I’m in a shop and I think the person on the till doesn’t like me, I will spend the rest of that day thinking I’ve ruined their afternoon, then worrying and wondering about how I could’ve been a better customer.)

Used sparingly, ALL CAPS can mimic the emphasis you’d add to a couple of words when talking. It’s like raising your voice.

Moreover, research indicates that putting one or two words in ALL CAPS makes it easier to understand something at a glance.

BUT …

Using ALL CAPS for longer texts reduces readability.

So, be careful: ALL CAPS can quickly be too much, and your writing tone becomes shouty.

14. Elongate your vowels

Pleeeaaaase, explain to me …

Why do we drag out our vowels?

Elongating vowels creates a more casual tone by mimicking our intonation when we talk. You may think this technique is only for teenagers on social media but even Apple uses it on their website :

The looongest battery life of any iPhone. Ever.

And Wil Reynolds writes in a blog post about SEO and AI disruption :

SEO has been “dead” or “dying” since before I got started in 1999. Mayyyyybe it’s just an industry that changes a lot.

I sometimes elongate vowels on Twitter , too:

Pleeease … Don’t tell me to write like I talk. In writing, you can’t use hand gestures & facial expressions. So, writing has to be stronger than spoken language.

You can also lengthen certain consonants. Dammmmmnnn. What a messss.

So, this is an interesting technique, most commonly used on social media. Elsewhere, use in moderation or not at all. There is a risk your tone becomes unprofessional.

Always consider who your reader is and what tone is appropriate for your conversation with them.

How casual should your writing be?

Your objective is not to make your writing as conversational and casual as possible.

Think about the topic you’re discussing with your reader.

Consider your reader’s reaction and what feelings crop up when they’re reading your text.

Also, think about the context. Social media tends to be most casual, email comes next. And blogs tend to be more conversational than books but that’s also a matter of personal preference.

Sometimes, simple and clear writing is your aim.

Sometimes, you want to go a step further and turn your text into a conversation or make the tone more informal.

How casual is your conversation with your reader?

Cup of tea? Slice of cake?

PS This is a completely refreshed and expanded version of an article originally posted on January 14th, 2014. The new version was published on August 29th, 2023.

Recommended reading on conversational writing:

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Reader Interactions

Leave a comment and join the conversation cancel reply.

December 15, 2023 at 4:00 am

Thanks, for this very insightful post. I think that people, looking for guidance in their writing, will definitely not leave empty. I have personally gained useful tips and suggestions, that will help me in my writing. This post will add value to the newbie’s writing, like me, and even some of the more mature writers.

December 15, 2023 at 10:29 am

I’m glad you found it useful, Rupert.

October 31, 2023 at 9:46 pm

Faaaaantastic! Learnt LOADS. Thanks.

November 1, 2023 at 9:00 am

Yay! I’m glad it was helpful. 🙂

October 21, 2023 at 9:13 am

This made me laugh and all the tips are helpful. Happy Belated Birthday. It’s never too late to celebrate your beauty Henneke and to be grateful for all you are and all you share! You give me hope and inspiration and skill.

October 23, 2023 at 10:37 am

Thanks so much, Andrea. This was a fun post to write.

October 18, 2023 at 4:09 pm

For someone who has stalled on writing for a while due to so many things, bereavement being one. Reading this has truly inspired me, I’ve taken notes and I can’t wait to practice all that you shared. Very informative and useful tips. I believe you’ve just eased the burden I felt at the thoughts of going back to writing. Thank you Henneke!

October 18, 2023 at 4:56 pm

I’m sorry about your bereavement, Bukky. I hope you’ll get back to writing soon and will find joy in writing again.

September 11, 2023 at 3:33 pm

I haven’t even finished reading, and just have to say how truly helpful this is! Our company just rebranded our voice/tone, and “conversational” is our latest descriptor of how we should be writing (I’m a copywriter). I thought I knew how, but am quickly realizing how hard it is when writing about tech products. Thank you for making this so approachable and easy to understand. I have a post-it note handy with notes from your blog to keep on my desk! 🙂

September 13, 2023 at 6:58 am

Thank you, Marissa. That’s lovely feedback. Happy writing!

September 8, 2023 at 6:29 pm

Thank you so much Henneke. You’re a whole institution, trust me. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼❤️🤗 Thank you

September 13, 2023 at 6:57 am

Thank you, Nnenna. I just enjoy writing, sharing and connecting with lovely people like you.

September 4, 2023 at 9:53 pm

Happy belated birthday, Henneke. I hope you’re feeling well. As usual, you never disappoint me with how you display your knowledge — much appreciated.

September 5, 2023 at 4:21 pm

Thank you, Dom. That’s lovely feedback. And I appreciate your birthday wishes.

September 4, 2023 at 10:07 am

Thank you very much Henneke for this long topic! I’ve already read the first version before and now I see new stuff you added. There is such information that I can’t remember all!! I feel I need to read that again from time to time to assimilate that. And Happy Birthday in late! 🤗

September 5, 2023 at 4:19 pm

Thanks so much, Alexandra. No need to remember it all. Just pick a new technique or two that appeal to you, and start practicing. When you feel you want to try something different, you can always come back. But you know that already 🙂

September 2, 2023 at 12:53 pm

Great read. In order to make the writing *even more* conversational, we might also use:

– emojis, to underline the message or suggest the opposite (yeah, right… 🙄), but used sparingly. – animated GIFs. Again, to make the point in a funny, relatable way. Maybe instead of writing gestures, we might show ’em 🙂 – larger or colored characters, to emphasize a short sequence of words. However, I’d use this technique sparingly, depending on context (I woulnd’t use it in B2B communication, but it’s ok when writing to young moms).

Apart from those, I think your list is all-inclusive 🙂

September 3, 2023 at 10:34 am

Thanks so much for adding these suggestions, Radu. Fab.

August 30, 2023 at 10:14 pm

Thank you Henneke for your precious article. Vero useeeeeeful! And… Happy Birthday from Italy. Maurizio

August 31, 2023 at 9:43 am

Sooooo glad you find this useful, Maurizio.

And thank you for your birthday wishes 🙂

August 30, 2023 at 8:37 pm

Thank you! Happy Birthday!🎉🎊🎈🎂

August 31, 2023 at 9:42 am

Thank you so much, Shauna. 🎉

August 30, 2023 at 4:31 pm

Hi Henneke, Very handy article. I love all the different ways you have picked up on to make writing sound like a real conversation – all the umms and errs. And you’ve made me realise that although I say ‘anyway’ all the time, I would never dream of writing it. So now I need to think about that, along with so and however. Thanks.

August 30, 2023 at 5:11 pm

It’ll probably be interesting to experiment and see whether you like it when you add “anyway” to your writing, and what frequency feels right.

Writing will never quite be the same as speaking. It’ll always be more concise, more structured, and a little stronger. But when we allow ourselves to be a bit more conversational, we can let our personality shine through a little more.

happy writing!

August 30, 2023 at 8:29 am

Happy birthday!

Brilliant piece; saved for future reference. Thank you.

August 30, 2023 at 11:08 am

Thank you so much, Beverley. Happy writing!

August 29, 2023 at 9:25 pm

I just finished a youth book on the 23rd Psalm that’s woven in a young girl’s life while studying it. She narrowly survived bullets randomly fired at the March 6, 2023 shooting in Allen Texas, at the Outlet Mall.

I’m mostly pleased with the book, but wished I had read—no studied, this article before starting. I tried to make the book conversational. I doubt that I succeeded. Do I rewrite with this article in mind? Probably not, since the parents of the girl have approved it. BUT, this will be a go-to on my next book.

Thanks for this article. It truly is helpful

August 30, 2023 at 11:10 am

I think that’s a wise decision. It’s easy to be tempted to keep improving a book but as it’s approved already, it’s probably better to start your next project.

Best wishes to the girl who survived the shooting.

August 29, 2023 at 8:04 pm

This is not a blog post.

But a Bible on conversational writing.

What else can I say?

Best wishes,

August 29, 2023 at 8:41 pm

As I was working on it, I was wondering whether it was bit too much!

August 29, 2023 at 5:49 pm

This landed in my inbox at the perfect time. Have a first draft of my next newsletter and it reads kind of stiff. Ugh. Your tips totally inspire me to bring it to life. Thanks, Henneke.

August 29, 2023 at 6:16 pm

Yay! That makes me happy, Fiona. Thank you. Happy editing!

August 29, 2023 at 12:54 pm

I started and couldn’t stop reading your article. And, I missed my train. Not to worry, I gained more from your item than my meeting with the bank manager. Thanks. Is it OK to use conversational writing on my website pages?

August 29, 2023 at 1:01 pm

Oops. I’m sorry you missed your train!

And yes, you can use conversational writing on your website. Just consider who is reading your website and what the right tone is to engage them.

April 18, 2023 at 12:09 pm

Hi, Can you share if a conversational tone can be used in a coffee table book?

April 18, 2023 at 4:01 pm

Sure. Why not? It depends how you want to position your coffee table book.

October 21, 2022 at 5:47 pm

You got me in awe! I just can not stop myself from reading it till the end + I want to read more !

October 22, 2022 at 4:23 pm

Thank you, Shafeeq. That’s a lovely compliment 🙂

August 12, 2022 at 1:03 pm

Great tips for chatting through writing.

Way too many bloggers and online marketers forget that human beings sit on the other side of the computer or phone. There are other humans out there reading our content and engaging us from their laptops and phones. Keeping this idea in mind urges me to be chatty, to write how I speak and to converse with fellow human beings by a Blogging From Paradise, my emails and through social media too.

We want to chat with people online not speak to them.

August 12, 2022 at 4:26 pm

Yes, so true. Conversational writing is not just for blog writing, but also emails and social media. It even works for books!

April 27, 2021 at 3:05 pm

Beautiful flow. Your message arrives home with perfect clarity and conciseness. Thumbs up Henneke.

April 27, 2021 at 6:56 pm

Thank you, Deniz. Happy writing!

September 18, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Do you have any YA novel suggestions which are written using conventional tone. I would be very interested in this. Thanks

September 18, 2020 at 5:40 pm

I don’t read a lot of YA novels. The only one I can remember reading “recently” is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I read that almost two years ago but if I remember correctly, that used a conversational tone. I’m sure there are many many more.

August 29, 2020 at 6:55 pm

This is great. I just wrote a conversational piece today. I wanted to double check if I was on the right track. This post was insightful.

I have jotted down points like checking if it looks like writing. I am going to revisit the piece tomorrow with fresh mindset and your overall tips.

Thank you so much. This was a great read and helpful in a practical way. 🙂

August 29, 2020 at 8:08 pm

I’m glad this has been helpful to you, Kavya, and I like your idea of revisiting your writing tomorrow (rather than today) to check whether it sounds like writing. Happy editing!

August 27, 2020 at 6:43 am

Wow! The post itself is written in a conversational tone. Flows well and easy to connect with. Thanks for this.

August 27, 2020 at 12:13 pm

Thank you, Martin. I’m glad you enjoyed this.

August 5, 2020 at 3:58 am

I love this! It guided me to a nice, relaxed way of blogging. This approach will allow readers to get comfortable on my blog.

August 5, 2020 at 9:39 am

Thank you, Tayler. Happy blogging!

June 29, 2020 at 4:17 pm

That was a real good post about writing good stuff.Writing is an art and you are an artist in true sense.Your writing style kept me hooked till end of the article.And I was compelled to write a comment to you. Way to go ??

June 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm

Thanks so much for your comment (and your compliment!), Preeti 🙂

June 1, 2020 at 6:24 pm

That’s great!! I think you are a fantastic writer , I like this. Good writing has a strong voice, where you can hear the writer as if they were talking to you.

June 2, 2020 at 12:55 pm

Thank you, Amit. Happy writing!

April 23, 2020 at 11:40 am

I never knew before that writing something, that too conversationally also exists. I meet new people everyday as a part of my job. I love talking to new people. And yes, asking questions definitely gets the other person involved. Thank you for such an awesome topic. I hope these tips will help me better in effective communication with my clients. Thanks and keep on giving us more.

April 23, 2020 at 12:26 pm

Asking questions is a much underrated skill. I’m glad you’ve discovered the power of questions already. Thank you for stopping by, Mihir.

March 9, 2020 at 10:19 am

I accidentally clicked on the link to your site, I liked it very much . Signed up for your free course.

March 9, 2020 at 7:35 pm

I hope you’ll enjoy the snacks, Sergey! Thank you for joining 🙂

January 24, 2020 at 5:44 pm

I loved the way you presented the ideas. I am a fan of your writing thank you. I bookmarked this post so, I can read it daily and improve my writing skills.

January 26, 2020 at 10:04 am

Thanks so much, Vijay. Happy writing!

November 28, 2019 at 11:35 am

This is amazing….!! I just got a reply from a company to write casual content, I was so confused… How am I going to do… but now I feel a little bit confident… I hope I can write well… Wish me luck….:)

November 28, 2019 at 4:56 pm

I’m glad this post is useful to you, Sandhya. Happy writing!

PS Consider asking your client for examples of conversational writing they like because the interpretation of what kind of writing is conversational may differ from company to company.

November 14, 2019 at 5:46 am

Hi Henneke,

Thank you for providing us with these useful writing tips. I often struggle with making my technical content look more informal and interesting but haven’t succeeded. With your tips, I am sure I can improve gradually.

Thanks and keep on giving us more

November 14, 2019 at 7:41 pm

I’m glad you found this useful, Amos.

Especially with technical texts, it can be useful to edit with your reader in mind. If the reader is an expert, it’s fine to use technical terms because they’d use those terms in a conversation, too. But if the reader isn’t, then it can be hard work to simplify your text to make it understandable.

Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it.

September 11, 2019 at 7:30 am

Beautiful tips. I spend half of my day reading your tips… You are seriously to the point and have informative tips. I love it. I write small blogs but with long sentences and I learn a great deal of munching wisdom about how to clean up my writing. I think I will make a few changes in my website. I love your recipes….

September 11, 2019 at 8:25 am

Thank you so much, Jim. I’m delighted you’re enjoying my blog. Happy writing! 🙂

May 13, 2019 at 11:50 am

Cut the “writerliness” — now I have a name for this!

It feels like you live in my head (in a non-creepy way, of course) because when I revert to using passive voice or pompous-sounding words, I can almost hear you saying, “You might want to change that ?”

Thanks for your example from Ann Handley’s newsletter, I really enjoyed reading her conversational tone.

May 13, 2019 at 6:28 pm

I’m glad I don’t sound creepy when you hear me suggesting a change 😀

The word “writerliness” isn’t in the dictionary, but I think we should get it added 😉

Happy writing!

March 7, 2019 at 3:39 pm

Thank you Henneke. I love it.

March 7, 2019 at 7:03 pm

Thank you, Firdaos.

March 7, 2019 at 1:50 pm

I think a conversational tone works really well for blogs and other types of writing.

I think voice is the key to a good writer, and it is not exactly the same thing as tone. Good writing has a strong voice, where you can hear the writer as if they were talking to you.

Yes, voice is not the same as tone, even though many people use them as synonyms.

If you’d read a transcript from an interview with me, you’d notice that I talk quite differently from the way I write. It’s not like I’m a different person when I write and when I talk, and you can recognize the same personality—no matter whether I talk or write, but there’s still a big difference in the way I write and talk. Unfortunately, it’s hard to edit your talking. 🙂

March 7, 2019 at 12:12 pm

I’m hooked. Each of your articles is helpful. I love your work. Thanks.

March 7, 2019 at 12:19 pm

Thank you, Olusegun. Happy writing!

March 4, 2019 at 3:47 pm

I had read this earlier. I came back to read it again 🙂 This gold!

The first place I ever heard of ‘writerliness’ but it makes a lot of sense.

March 4, 2019 at 5:45 pm

Writerliness isn’t in the dictionary. I made it up. But writerly exists and simply means “of, relating to, or typical of a writer” (according to Merriam-Webster). So, the meaning I use is a little more specific, but it seemed the best way to express this idea that writing has specific characteristics that make it sound like writing.

Thank you for coming back to reread and comment 🙂

February 26, 2019 at 11:39 am

Love this!!

I especially like the advice about counting how many times i mention; me, I & us.

You are spot on, i’m going to keep the reader in mind as much as possible, i wanted to be the best conversationalist possible!

February 26, 2019 at 2:53 pm

Thank you, Nick. And nice to see your picture now! 🙂

February 24, 2019 at 5:52 pm

Excellent advice, Henneke. Your conversational tone kept me reading. Many blog posts lose me after the first couple of paragraphs.

February 25, 2019 at 4:56 pm

I’m glad I kept you reading. Thank you for stopping by, Kathy 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 7:31 pm

I love this post! I enjoyed how you made your points come across. Thank you, Henneke!

February 23, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Thank you, Hank!

February 22, 2019 at 5:41 pm

Great post! I adore your writing style and generous tips for those of us wishing to improve our communications. I recommend your blog to my clients. Thank you for all that you do and share. Breathe joy!

February 22, 2019 at 7:26 pm

Thank you so much, KC, for your lovely comment and for recommending my blog to your clients. I appreciate it. Happy writing!

February 21, 2019 at 4:04 pm

Came here from LinkedIn. Now I know what you meant by the tea remark. An amazing article Henneke. You’ve broken down such a complex problem into the simplest form possible. And like always, your artworks are amazing.

February 22, 2019 at 10:39 am

Yes, we’re all having tea together here. I’m glad you were able to join, too. Thank you for stopping by 🙂

February 21, 2019 at 9:06 am

Hi Henneke Great post. I am writing a conversational piece at the moment and found this very helpful. Thank you. Sue Kingham

February 22, 2019 at 10:29 am

I’m glad this was helpful, Sue. Thank you for stopping by 🙂

February 21, 2019 at 4:41 am

Wow it does not seem that long since I read a similar advice, from you, crazy how four years can seem like four months. or was it fife month? I do love your posts about quitting the fancy writing, I’m certainly not that fancy type. Thank you Henneke

It was actually five years ago when I posted the original version. I can hardly believe I’ve been writing here for so many years. Crazy, eh?

February 20, 2019 at 3:18 pm

I, too, have read this one before, felt inspired and benefited, and commented already. But. This time you really got through to my “straight A+ in English” brain. How did you do that? 😀 So, thanks very much for the re-do, and … … I noticed Henrietta is sitting on the “h”. So I’d be one seat beyond, on the “k” when I read, here. It really felt that personal. <3

February 20, 2019 at 7:41 pm

Yes, the K is there waiting for you—I drew it in the last picture. And you can put your feet on the M if you like. Shall I make you a tea or a coffee? 🙂

February 20, 2019 at 4:39 am

Good reminder Henneke – conversational writing also very apt for how-to books. Paul, wet and steamy Sydney

February 20, 2019 at 9:30 am

Yep, conversational writing works for books, too. It seems that blogs (and email) have spearheaded to drive to conversational writing but it’s used more and more in books, too. Stay cool!

February 20, 2019 at 3:21 am

What a fantastic article, brilliantly summing up the topic. A perfect snapshot of the copywriter’s job. Love the infographic!

February 20, 2019 at 9:29 am

Thank you so much, Kate. I enjoyed drawing the pictures of Henrietta and her ideal reader on the typewriter 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 11:45 pm

Yes, this is what conversational feels like. I find myself learning to write shorter posts these days. This was certainly a great read. I have shared with my team, I shouldn’t take in the awesomeness alone.

February 20, 2019 at 9:28 am

Thank you so much for sharing this with your team, Mary. I appreciate it. Happy writing!

February 19, 2019 at 10:49 pm

I’ve read this post before, but I love it and totally concur. I picked up something new this time. Your distinction about writing as you write rather than as you speak got my attention this time. I hadn’t picked up on that before, but it really makes a lot of sense. Going forward, I think that will be very helpful in my writing. Thanks for yet another great idea.

That point about conversational writing not being the same as writing as you speak wasn’t worked out in the old version. I expanded it quite a lot. (And I also edited it so it sounds more like the way I write now rather than five years ago.)

Thank you for stopping by again, Gordon!

February 19, 2019 at 10:29 pm

Your email arrived in my Inbox at precisely the right time . . . when I am beginning to overhaul my Web site. Good reminders of how you can win over business not by being formal and intellectual, but by being more concise and casual. Thank you appearing in my life.

February 20, 2019 at 9:26 am

I’m glad this email arrived at the right time. Good luck with overhauling your website! Such projects can feel a bit intimidating.

February 19, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Hi Henneke I loved this, however, when I went to say thank you in the comments I felt like I missed a really good part FIVE YEARS AGO. I have so many writing hang-ups at the moment, this helps at least one.

love alwaz mike

February 20, 2019 at 9:25 am

I’m sorry you missed out five years ago, but I can reassure you this new version is a lot better! 🙂

Do you have any specific writing hang-ups I can help with?

February 19, 2019 at 8:29 pm

Brilliant, Henneke! I read many copywriting and business books but few write as well as you do. The list of these writers such as Dan Kennedy, Ted Nicholas, Seth Godin, Drayton Bird and many others simply don’t write as clearly and succinctly as you do. Robert Ringer and Andy Maslen aren’t among those – they write well and are always interesting. It seems to me that ‘if it isn’t interesting it won’t be informative’ (don’t know where I read that!). Thanks again.

February 19, 2019 at 8:38 pm

Wow. That’s a big compliment. Thank you, Paul ?

February 19, 2019 at 6:35 pm

You always hit the nail on the head–wham! Also want you to know your Enchanting Marketing “class” is proving so helpful. I write fiction stories not content marketing but believe me, I appreciate the help you give. Besides, your book recommendations are terrific. Don’t know how you’re able to do so much and give so generously to so many hungry birds! (I’m allowed one exclamation point–right?)

February 19, 2019 at 8:37 pm

I’m so happy to know that you’re finding the Write It, Don’t Fight It course helpful! Thank you so much for stopping by, Patrica. I appreciate it.

February 19, 2019 at 4:01 pm

I so agree, Henneke! Writing that feels conversational is still writing. It still takes work! I used to think, to warm and friendly, just transcribe a real conversation. That did not work! My transcribed interviews just seemed to lay there like a sack of potatoes. Your editing steps are essential! They’re like the chopping and cooking that turns a heap of words into something wonderful (like french fries). Your article says it best. A conversational tone is deliberate. It’s your choice of a few deft cuts, some heat and some sharp sensory spices that delight eaters – er – readers like me.

February 19, 2019 at 5:35 pm

I read a book a couple of years ago. It was a business book but the author also writes poetry which surprised me because the book didn’t feel like it was written by a poet who appreciates words. There was something lazy about the writing. Later I discovered that he’d dictated the book. Dictating helped him overcome writer’s block. The editing was pretty good so it wasn’t noticeable at first but still it something was slightly “off.” So, yes, as you say, the conversational tone is deliberate and takes some work.

Thank you for stopping by, Joanne!

February 19, 2019 at 3:18 pm

What can I say? Written so nice and concise. Pour me another cuppa!

February 19, 2019 at 5:32 pm

Coffee or tea? 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 1:33 pm

As always, Henneke, a wonderful post. I love the freshness of your post structure. So different to the Google formula of H1 to H10 or whatever.No table of contents or video as is deemed so vital by big bloggers. Thank you for an entertaining post.

February 19, 2019 at 2:19 pm

Thank you for your lovely compliment, Poovanesh. I prefer to put my readers first (and I’ve found that works quite well for Google, too).

February 19, 2019 at 1:30 pm

Nailed it! Your drawings drive the point home perfectly. (And, of course, I ❤️the ?!) ?

February 19, 2019 at 2:18 pm

The dog loves you, too 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 1:22 pm

Very inspiring. Thank you.

February 19, 2019 at 1:26 pm

My pleasure 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 12:51 pm

Brilliant as usual Henneke. Thanks for the salient reminder. I guess you could say: “Don’t be boring!”.

February 19, 2019 at 12:56 pm

Yes, that helps, too. 🙂

Good to “see” you again, Ray!

February 19, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Henneke, you’ve come up with another Classic. It’s on my wall. In front of my desk.

And it’s the first thing I read every day.

And while you at it, thank Kerstin for me.

February 19, 2019 at 12:26 pm

Conversational writing is one of my favorite topics. I was nervous about revisiting the old post but I’m glad I did (and it changed more than I had envisioned). 🙂

Thank you for your comment, Lee, and happy writing!

February 19, 2019 at 11:56 am

I felt like your favourite reader, so you nailed it. And I’m looking forward to drink tea with you one day .. ha ha (but not kidding). Your imagery is so funny e.g. “Send difficult words to the naughty corner and throw a party for simple words.” Ha ha. All the best, Tine

February 19, 2019 at 12:14 pm

One day we’ll drink tea together! 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 11:49 am

Henneke you know your stuff

Thank you, Jacqueline. 🙂

March 21, 2018 at 5:30 pm

I thank you very much and love everything you send me, I love illustration and I will not forget it.

March 23, 2018 at 11:51 am

Thank you, Samar. Happy writing!

February 12, 2018 at 3:28 am

Good Article and explained nicely, what needs to be taken care to make the writing as conversational writing

February 12, 2018 at 9:51 am

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Harish. Happy writing!

September 9, 2017 at 11:38 am

This post is great. The point about short paragraphs is the one that resonates most with me.

I hire a professional writer to write our blog, and at times, I have to go in and break up 6-10 sentence paragraphs. I hate seeing it!

The web and content format is changing so dramatically, nobody wants to read a wall of text these days!

February 16, 2017 at 7:28 pm

This is an excellent article. I’ve just noticed that I use exclamation rather than questions far too much in my writing. Maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong?

February 16, 2017 at 9:29 pm

Thank you for stopping by, Derek.

April 25, 2016 at 5:08 pm

Just a suggestion: maybe you can add some definite heuristics as well.. such as some effective techniques that have been proven to work.. say for reducing content length, I’d say change from “in order to” to just “to”.. something like that

March 11, 2016 at 3:58 am

Great tips! I’ve just one question: how do you handle clients who insist that conversational writing is not ‘professional’? Had a recent client who insisted, in a snooty curl-in-the-lip manner, that they are a premium brand dealing with professional readers, and so things like contractions, short sentences, using 1st/2nd pov etc. are improper.

Problem is, the style they want would bore even the most stone-hearted tax accountant to tears :-/

I suppose my real question is: Can premium B2B branding still be portrayed through a more humane, conversational writing?

March 14, 2016 at 10:11 pm

Yes, that’s tricky. You still have to respect the brand voice, even if you don’t agree with it. With some clients you can adjust the guidelines for tone of voice, but others are pretty set in their ways.

To me, B2B is also writing for people, and yes, it can be portrayed in a more conversational way of writing, but not all brand managers like that. Of course, depending on who you’re talking to, your language may be more technical as you write using the same terms your audience uses.

January 19, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Hi there! I have always been hesitant to use “you” as it may sound preachy. Everyone I talk to says it’s best to write in 1st person. What do you think?

Also, agree on white space and editing. So much easier to read.

Learning forward!

January 19, 2016 at 5:02 pm

I use “you” a lot in my blog posts, and it doesn’t feel preachy to me 🙂

September 18, 2015 at 1:21 pm

Going through the comments section I realized that I went through a lot of conversational writing. Most of the writers were perhaps not aware of it. Awesome post 🙂

September 18, 2015 at 2:27 pm

September 3, 2015 at 2:44 pm

Thank you Henneke, this post is going to help me begin my blogging journey!

September 6, 2015 at 2:29 pm

Great! Happy blogging!

August 19, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Thank you Henneke, this is a sweet post. I already hankered for more.

August 19, 2015 at 6:56 pm

Thank you, Felix. Nice to meet 🙂

Happy reading!

April 17, 2015 at 1:13 pm

Beautiful tips. I spend half of my day reading your tips… You are seriously to the point and have informative tips. I love it. I write small blogs but with long sentences and I learn a great deal of munching wisdom about how to clean up my writing. I think I will make a few changes in my website. I love your recipes…. 🙂

April 17, 2015 at 1:24 pm

I love your phrase “munching” 🙂

Happy reading and happy writing!

July 14, 2014 at 7:41 am

Yes, thank you for your answer and for the examples!

July 13, 2014 at 7:31 am

Hi Henneke, I totally agree with you on this. But I’ve got a question: I’m working for a Dutch university. One of my tasks is to write texts for the university website. My target audience are prospective students. I would love to change the way we, as a university, talk to our readers. Because, frankly, I think all our copy is totally boring, generic and abstract (“Are you innovative and interested in current issues? Then you should enroll in programme X.”). I can’t seem to persuade my bosses of the need to switch to personalized writing though, because – as they put it – it’s important that as many secondary education pupils as possible should recognize themselves in our texts. And ofcourse its true that people have many different reasons to choose a particular education. So, my question is: is it even possible for organizations with so many different target audiences with such divergent interests to find a personal tone of voice in their writing? And if so, how would you tackle this problem? Thanks in advance for your advice, I really appreciate it!

July 13, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Hi Evelyne – that’s an excellent question and can be a tricky problem when people are stuck in old-fashioned writing.

I’d say the first thing to make sure is that your bosses understand the differences between how people read on the web vs how they read an academic paper or a book. This will help them understand the importance of using white space, short sentences, short paragraphs, and simple words.

When you need to appeal to a wider audience, you want to keep your word choice fairly neutral – you can’t add personality by using slang as not everyone will understand it (unless you do for instance specific case studies to appeal to specific groups of students).

Dropbox and Evernote are good examples of companies who appeal to a wide audience, but sound human in their writing. They do this by simplifying their writing, keeping content concise, and focusing strongly on benefits rather than features.

Does this help?

April 16, 2014 at 2:41 am

Henneke, Just now got here, for some unknown reason, and as I read your post, I realized who I would write to, immediately. When I first began blogging, I followed a lovely young woman who inspired me, totally, with her great posts. I wondered how she did everything she did, and why she bothered to visit my site. Then she was attacked on fb, and decided to take a break. My heart was broken, because I saw her as a sort of bloggy mom. although I was old enough to be HER mom. After reading this post, I realize she is who I should write my posts for, sort of in her memory, although she is very much alive and has another new baby to show for her time off. I can constantly visualize her, as I always have, but never did write for/to her. Also, I have noticed on my other site, that when I write advice letters to people whose names I have changed, but whose situations are real, my posts REALLY resonate with people. That’s just what you are talking about, I think…

April 16, 2014 at 11:29 am

Yep, when you write for one person rather than for a crowd of readers, your writing becomes more “real”. Readers will notice it in your writing voice. And they all feel like you’re writing for them personally.

February 5, 2014 at 8:11 pm

This was a nice post, Henneke. I love this quote.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. ~ Elmore Leonard

I think that in all aspects of our digital communications, we need to be more conversational. If there is no personal feel or touch, then what is the point? On that note, I included your post in my roundup of the month’s best SEO, social media, and content marketing. http://www.northcutt.com/blog/2014/02/january-resource-round-up-the-best-of-seo-social-media-and-content-marketing/

February 5, 2014 at 11:38 pm

Yep, conversational writing works in all digital communication. Thank you for stopping by, Ben, and for including my article in your roundup. Much appreciated 🙂

February 4, 2014 at 3:03 pm

In preparation for launching my own blog I’ve start reading posts like these, and I can’t tell you how much it’s helping. Before doing any research into it all I would be writing in a style that might sit somewhere in between this and sleazy sales person, unintentionally of course.

Maybe I should re-consider the copy on my website as well? (see what I did there? :D)

So, thank you again 🙂

February 4, 2014 at 4:18 pm

You’re a quick learner, Sean 🙂

Good luck with launching your blog!

February 1, 2014 at 1:53 pm

Hello Henneke,

I am a first-time reader, and found your guest post from one of my Facebook groups. I really enjoy your writing style, and I can see where some of my blog posts have fallen flat. Thank you for sharing the “how” of storytelling in such an enchanting manner.

February 1, 2014 at 9:06 pm

Hi Holly, Welcome & thank you for taking the time to comment on your first visit. I appreciate it 🙂 Glad to hear you find my blog posts useful!

January 29, 2014 at 3:30 pm

You are a writer–and a darn good one. And I can picture a Kindle children’s book with those super cute pictures. Now you just need a story and title to go with it! 😉

January 29, 2014 at 4:34 pm

Thank you, Penelope. 🙂

Maybe one day I can write and illustrate a children’s book for grown-ups. 😉

February 20, 2019 at 2:52 pm

Oh, yes. Do! Don’t you think a children’s book on how to become a writer would be great? I can imagine if there’d been such a book when I was enjoying writing assignments the MOST in grade school. Wouldn’t you love to cause a child to have courage and begin far earlier than I did? A MUST!!! 😀

January 29, 2014 at 12:34 am

Ok, Henneke. You are going to have to take on the title of “artist” along with writer. Are you up for that? 😉

Now you’ve got me wondering how many questions I have in my posts. I’m gonna go count ’em now. Thanks for germinating and sprouting all these new ideas in my head!

January 29, 2014 at 9:59 am

An artist?!? Not sure I’m quite ready for that yet. I’ve barely got used to the idea of calling myself a writer. 😉

January 23, 2014 at 6:15 am

Dear Henneke,

It is this time I am grateful. Thank you for your generous contributions over time. You have truly enriched my life with a well-toned understanding of writing a Blog.

January 23, 2014 at 11:47 am

You’re welcome, Joel. Thank you for stopping by 🙂

January 21, 2014 at 10:58 am

Thank you Henneke 🙂

January 17, 2014 at 3:49 am

Once again, awesome post, and so completely relevant!

I really like the idea of writing to one reader. As soon as I’m writing to a crowd, I can’t write at all. But I have this ongoing fear that if I write to one reader…my favorite reader…my ideal reader…I’ll connect with such an infinitesimal group of people.

I want to write about writing and marketing. Marketing with soul, you know. Because I feel like anything done with love, with real authenticity, with the soul, is infinitely better. But I’m finding it difficult to take the leap to even do that myself.

Thanks so much, Melissa

January 17, 2014 at 10:43 am

Yes, I so agree with you about writing with the soul. You’ll find that if you write for one reader it becomes much easier to write with soul and personality.

In a way having an ideal reader is just a “trick” to make your writing more engaging. Don’t worry about connecting just with one reader or a few. When you write for one person, it doesn’t mean that only one person will feel you’re talking with them. Many people will feel you’ve written the post especially for them, because many people are struggling with the same problems and challenges as your ideal reader.

Does that help?

January 18, 2014 at 3:42 am

It’s still a little scary, but your words help a lot! Thanks a bunch.

January 16, 2014 at 1:01 am

Hi again, love your drawings. Please note my website is not operating at the moment. I had to remove the files. So at the moment I am reworking everything. Give me a couple of days and I will get back to normal. You see this is the case with novices, mistakes, mistakes and more mistakes. I hope when I have restored the site it will be better in many ways. Also I hope eventually to start a blog that is why I read as much as I can. Your site I enjoy very much. That drawing has again just ‘pinged’ in my mind, so clean cut very striking. I shall have some of my own art, rather conventional, on my site when it is re-published, you might take some time to view. Thanks again for more interesting material, Tom

January 16, 2014 at 4:54 pm

We all make mistakes, Tom. It’s human 🙂

Good luck with reworking your site!

January 15, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Wow, I feel truly honoured to have inspired this post. It’s fantastic and really great advice as always. I just read all the comments you got for this post – looks like I’m not the only one struggling with this particular point. Happy new year, Henneke, and thank you so much for your great blog. xx

January 15, 2014 at 9:55 pm

Thank you so much for all your great comments last year, Kerstin. You inspire me to keep writing. 🙂

Happy new year to you, too!

January 15, 2014 at 6:39 pm

Thanks for the tips. I use “You” a bit more than I should in my posts, as in “You are loved” opposed to “I love you.” Will work on it:)

January 15, 2014 at 9:54 pm

Great! I hope you enjoyed the cake 😉

Thank you for stopping by, Clara.

January 15, 2014 at 5:18 pm

Great post, Henneke! Love how you flipped the idea of writing like you talk and rather to edit your text so it doesn’t sound like writing. Great way to think of it.

January 15, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Thank you, Jonas. This is really how it works for me. I have to edit out the gobbledygook and undulating sentences to make a text more conversational.

Good to see you here! 🙂

January 15, 2014 at 9:47 am

H. firstly, what a great drawing! You should definitely keep going. Thank you also for giving me permission to use but, because, and at the start of sentences. Whilst I’ve let go of other writing formalities, these have been particularly hard to let go. And sometimes it just feels right to start a sentence this way. Really enjoying reading your posts.

January 15, 2014 at 10:15 am

Thank you so much, Caroline. And good to see you’ve given yourself permission to start a sentence with And . You deserve a big slice of cake. 🙂

Just tell that high school teacher to shut up with his old-fashioned advice 🙂

January 15, 2014 at 12:41 pm

Nomnomnom 🙂

January 15, 2014 at 4:13 am

Hi! I just stumbled upon your work and I’m totally hooked!

I’m a marketer in the Philippines. Like you, English is not my native language, but it’s the language I use to reach customers. (Here English is unofficially the language of business.)

You make me want to go back and improve everything I’ve done in the past. Now I know how to do it. Thank you!

January 15, 2014 at 10:12 am

Welcome, Rhea. It’s so nice to have people from across the world joining the conversation here. I hope you took a big slice of the cake 😉

January 14, 2014 at 9:59 pm

Henneke, I love your illustration . Congratulations! I’m proud of you

January 14, 2014 at 10:16 pm

Thank you, Louie. As one of my most loyal readers you deserve a real slice of cake some time!

January 14, 2014 at 9:58 pm

As part of my New Year’s plan to get a handle on my e-mail in-box I have unsubscribed from most of the e-mail lists I have been on. But, I love receiving your e-mails because I feel exactly the way you describe in your post when I see yours come in. Thanks for your clear, helpful, engaging, and very personalized writing!

January 14, 2014 at 10:14 pm

I feel honored that you’re still allowing my emails in your inbox. Thank you. I’ll do my best to keep rewarding you with a slice of cake each week 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 8:57 pm

Another great post. I’m definitely guilty of not asking enough questions and not focusing enough on the reader.

– Steve

P.S. The cartoon was cute as well

It’s easy to forget the reader – you can’t see him yawning, glancing at his cellphone, or fidgeting in his seat as a sign that you’re rambling on too much. A face-to-face conversation is much easier.

Thank you for stopping by! 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 7:18 pm

Hi Henneke, Excellent article. You do write very conversationally, so you are walking the walk.

I cringe everytime I see an exclamation mark because I feel as if I’m being “screamed at.” And besides, it takes away from prudent use of it!!!! So many !!!! in our lives, it feels like so much noise!

I love the picture of Henrietta & Arthur!!!! (Those are sincere) Mary

January 14, 2014 at 7:41 pm

I once wrote that using more than one exclamation mark – in an email or blog post – is a crime against enchantment. I still believe this is true.

And yes, I do my best to walk the walk. Thank you so much, Mary 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 4:14 pm

Really helpful. Thank you! Learned a lot this week. And I’m particularly motivated as I did a survey of respondents last week and when asked what I could improve, a few of them said my grammar! I couldn’t agree more.

Interesting to read your comment about your native Dutch coming out – my New Zealand comes out too. I try and catch it, because people don’t understand me when I use words like “niggle” (irritate), “puke” (throw up) or “pash (kiss),” but they still occasionally slip through.

This language business is awfully fun. And I love reading your emails each week. Thanks again, Lisa (PS: Have you read “On Writing” by Stephen King? Am reading at the moment, again. Very inspiring.)

January 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

Yes, language is fun. I sometimes use British words without realizing they’re specific to British-English and others might not get them.

I like the word “niggle” – it’s also used over here. I’m surprised people don’t know the word “puke” – I see it used quite a lot in blog posts. “Pash” sounds nice, but is new to me 🙂

Yes, “On Writing” is one of my faves, too. Have you read “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott? That’s inspirational, too.

Good to see you again!

January 14, 2014 at 5:58 pm

Ooh, thanks, I haven’t read that one. Will check it out.

And, yeah I was surprised about those words too. (“Pash” is what a NZ young person might call kissing, more than just a peck. A fun word to use!) Have a great week:)

January 14, 2014 at 3:40 pm

Henneke, I see that asking questions is so important, and I enjoy “talking” to you, answering the questions in your text. I will do it in our next post, thanks for pointing out.

January 14, 2014 at 4:08 pm

Always good to have you around for tea and cake 😉

January 14, 2014 at 3:35 pm

Love this article Henneke! Your drawing is amazing as well. I look forward to seeing more of them 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your tools and knowledge. I especially found the use of question marks very helpful. Conversational copy is something that *seems* like it should be so easy…but it can be hard to retrain ourselves and unlearn what we’ve learned in school. But, we must adapt, right? 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 3:42 pm

Yes, I think that’s the mistake many people make – conversational copy *seems* easy because it’s so easy to read. But the truth is that it’s damn hard work to eradicate gobbledygook and to make each sentence flow naturally.

Thank you for stopping by, Kristy. I appreciate it! 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 3:32 pm

Hi, Henneke, You write the best emails with great headlines that always make me want to read your posts.

Why don’t you teach a headline class?? Blog post writing class??

I would take it and I’m sure some of your other readers would also! Sue

Hi Sue, thank you so much. Stay tuned – I’m developing a blog writing e-course.

I’m hoping to have an early bird list live before the end of February. 🙂

PS Isn’t it wonderful how two question marks (“??”) indicate a pleasant amount of impatience?

January 14, 2014 at 3:16 pm

I love the idea of adding questions in a blog post to engage the reader even more. Do you think this would apply to product descriptions as well?

January 14, 2014 at 3:17 pm

P.S. Love the illustration!

January 14, 2014 at 3:24 pm

Thank you 🙂

Good to see your (new?) avatar!

January 14, 2014 at 3:23 pm

That’s a good question! You made me think … Most product descriptions might be too short to include questions. Questions might sound unnatural as you don’t have enough time to really start a conversation. But if you write longer product descriptions it can work.

January 14, 2014 at 3:00 pm

A great post. Thank you so much. Loved the *3* essential tools you gave me. I could even ‘hear’ some dialect in your post, eh? Congratulations Henneke!

January 14, 2014 at 3:05 pm

You might be hearing my Dutch accent 😉

I used to be dead-nervous about using “Dutchisms” (phrases inspired by Dutch – my native language) in my blog posts, but I’ve now decided that’s part of my charm.

Thank you, John.

January 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm

H. Passive sentences are some of my challenges. How do you feel about checking your writing via http://www.read-able.com ? Keeps me on my finger tips. sQs Your advocate in Delray Beach FL

January 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm

I haven’t used this particular tool, but I have used the readability stats that Microsoft Word shows (if you tick the right box and do a spelling check). I’ve been a bit sloppier with this recently, but a year ago I would religiously check:

(a) the average number of words per sentence – I would go back to chop up long sentences and tighten my text when my average was over 14 words per sentence

(b) passive sentences – even if I had only 1% of passive sentences, I would try rephrasing the passive sentence. Occasionally I’d be happy to leave a passive sentence.

February 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm

Looks for the word “are” – it is not active. It is sitting on the couch. So are all verbs of “being.” If you catch one, try to change it. Example: “Passive sentences are some of my challenges” is more powerful as, “Passive sentences challenge me.” Whenever you can find the verb form of a noun, use it and remove “is” or “are.” Happy writing!

January 14, 2014 at 12:41 pm

‘Sleazy salesmen use exclamation marks. Good conversationalists use question marks.’ >> That is a world famous quote by Henneke D, did you know that?

January 14, 2014 at 1:20 pm

Somehow it feels like it has taken me a year to write these two sentences. They just clicked into place yesterday. To me they express the essence of good writing.

January 14, 2014 at 1:34 pm

Of effective writing, for sure!

January 14, 2014 at 12:31 pm

Henrietta looks very happy today! :))) Just a question: when you talk about “your favourite reader” why is it a “she”? Is it like boats, planes… and always feminine? Bit confused.

January 14, 2014 at 1:14 pm

I’m not sure who’s happier – Henrietta herself or her dog Arthur? 😉

Your reader can be a “she” or a “he”. It depends on who you like working with most.

January 14, 2014 at 12:12 pm

Truth is… I’m thinking about unsunbscribing from a blog for feeling that they care not for their readers.

The writing is good, so are the ideas — but their emails are nothing but links to the day’s post (ok, not much harm in that), while I see no answers on their blog comments, nor any real interaction on their FB page.

It’s only talk, talk, talk, or rather write-and-post-it, and I even think that even their blog commenters have tailed away lately.

January 14, 2014 at 1:10 pm

Yes, you make an excellent point. Readers can sense it immediately when writers don’t care and when they’re insincere.

January 14, 2014 at 11:59 am

You did it. I’m really waiting for the next slice of your home-made cake. 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 1:03 pm

Thank you, Paul 🙂

Don’t tell anyone, but the truth is that in real life I’m not so good at baking cakes – I prefer cooking a delicious meal!

January 14, 2014 at 11:56 am

Thanks Henneke, another keeper of a blog post. makes a lot of sense. Time for me to head off to the local cafe and write up the first draft of my next newsletter I think… Oh, and really like your illustrations, VERY cute doggie!

January 14, 2014 at 1:00 pm

Yes, that’s a good idea. I’m sure writing in a local cafe can make your content livelier, too!

Thank you for stopping by, Lynne 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 11:31 am

Can’t agree more! This is really good advice. And I love your illustration, Henneke!

January 14, 2014 at 12:56 pm

Thank you, Lucy. The book Leonardo’s Swans sounds interesting!

January 14, 2014 at 10:21 pm

Thank you for the link to the photos, Henneke. I’m feeling super inspired now! Have to do something like this with my paintings.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Walt Whitman — The Enduring Walt Whitman’s tone

The Enduring Walt Whitman's Tone

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Inclusivity, freedom and liberation.

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