When we speak, the words we use, the details of what we’re saying, our body language, and the inflection of our voice lets listeners infer how we feel. If we’re being sarcastic, feel angry, happy, or bored, it will usually be evident by the way we express ourselves.
Readers infer an author’s attitude by the way a story or article is written. Word choices, sentence length and structure, imagery, and other stylistic clues convey the attitude, or tone, of the writer. The tone can change with different scenes, helping readers to understand how the author intended them to be interpreted. For example, a suspenseful scene will have a different tone than a romantic or humorous one.
In nonfiction, the tone may be affected by the subject matter and intended audience. A research paper will usually have a very different tone than a how-to article or memoir. An article about computers will have a different tone if it’s intended for consumers than it will if it’s written for technicians.
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Does the author’s tone affect your enjoyment of a book? Do you think about what tone you’re projecting when you write? Is the tone of the writing something you notice or think about when you’re reading?
Tone matters to me. Sadly, I have discovered that most critics and quite a few college professors are tone deaf.
-Michael
The Fiction Side: The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Michael.
I took a quick look at your blogs and look forward to reading more.
Carol
I certainly think tone is important, but I think I don’t really notice it if it’s done well. It’s only when it is not working for me that I actually even think about tone. Just as when listening to music, I don’t notice that everyone is on key, but sure notice it if someone is off key (usually me).
You are right about readers inferring the writer’s attitude. Back in the good old forum administrator days many a flame war were started simply because of the way the writer’s attitude was perceived.
~jon
Good point, Jon.
I remember a few of those wars on the forums I visited, too. They weren’t pleasant. I’ve been blessed that people have only left nice comments on my blog.
Tone is important. It’s one of those things that if no one notices it then you’ve written it well. The only times I’m distracted by tone during reading is if a writer has failed to strike the right one.
Jai
I agree.
I never really notice the tone of a piece unless it’s too preachy or so dark I cringe at the idea of continuing. If I’m really liking the tone, I guess I don’t even know it’s there.
I’m not fond of dark tones either. I can’t read horror stories.
For me, tone is connected to the author’s voice, although I’m not sure I could describe how. Ask different writers to rewrite the same scene and the result will be affected by each writer’s voice and style regardless of the intended mood. As others here have said, I want voice/style/tone to be subtle. When attention is drawn to it rather than to the scene or characters I know something isn’t quite right.
Voice and tone are closely related as both are reflections of what the author thinks. Both should add to the story rather than intrude on it. Sometimes its hard to be subtle, but it’s a good goal.
I’m always telling my boys to watch their tone.
I agree with others that it’s something I don’t consciously consider, unless the piece has changed my mood.
Cindy, my kids used to accuse me of yelling even though I never raised my voice, simply because of the tone of it. Wish I could get my writing to reflect my thoughts as easily.
Carol, Thanks for another short but great teaching.
I think it is very easy to let one’s feelings either positive or negative leech into our writing and greatly effect its tone.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I’m trying to keep things short so people won’t get bored! Plus I’m spending as much time outside as possible. It’s in the low 60s here and I’m loving it.
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