Consider the Writer’s Tone

We are usually pretty good at identifying someone’s tone when they are speaking to us. We can tell when someone is frustrated, thrilled, or disappointed by paying attention to their face, body language, and manner of speaking.

In the same way, a writer’s tone, or their attitude about what they are writing about, can be identified by paying attention to word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation. By noticing a writer’s tone when we read, we can pick up on the writer’s bias and opinions that may be sneaking in. It also allows us to have better comprehension. For example, when we miss out on a joke when reading, it may be because we did not pick up on a sarcastic or ironic tone. Note that the tone of a piece of writing reflects the author’s attitude about their topic; it is not necessarily the feelings we have when reading it.

How to Recognize a Writer’s Tone

• Look for emotionally charged, formal, informal, or neutral words.

• For example, words like “excited,” “tragic,” or “disastrous” reveal specific feelings, while neutral words like “stated” or “explained” might indicate an objective tone.

• Short, punchy sentences may create a tone that’s urgent or direct, while long, complex sentences might feel reflective or academic.

• The use of rhetorical questions or exclamatory statements can also give clues about tone.

• Is the writer expressing anger, joy, sadness, curiosity, or sarcasm? Tone often reflects these emotions directly.

• Exclamation points may suggest excitement or urgency:  What an incredible finish!

• Ellipses (…) can indicate hesitation or mystery. I think I did okay on the test… but I’m not sure about the essay part. 

• Quotation marks around words may suggest irony: She said her “creative” solution to the problem was to ignore it entirely.   

The Connection between Tone and Purpose

“Listening” to a writer’s tone will often lead us to understanding their purpose. For example, if you can feel the writer’s emotions coming through, they likely have personal feelings and opinions about what they are writing about. This makes the writing likely to have been written to persuade.

If the tone feels unemotional, and you aren’t aware of the author’s feelings on their topic, it is likely to have been written to inform. 

If the tone feels lighthearted or humorous, it has likely been written to entertain. However, in a fictional work, the tone may be serious or any other tone.