Tone in Literature: Meaning, Tips, and Examples

• Aug 25, 2025
• 6 min read

• Tags: English as a Second Language / ESL, Language, Writing Tips

Have you noticed that while different books may belong to the same genre, they create different emotional climates that affect your mood as you read the book, and consequently, the way you relate to the story and characters?

This is because the author has deliberately set a certain tone that might remain constant or change throughout the story. The tone can affect the reader’s mood and their perception of the book. A skilled author effectively manipulates tone to create an environment conducive to furthering the narrative.

Here’s a detailed guide to what tone is, how to use it, and practical examples to help you relate.

What is tone in literature and why it matters

‘Tone’ in literature can be defined as the author’s attitude towards the subject or audience, expressed through word choice, style, and detail. It sets the base of the narrative and influences the way the reader engages with the work. Think of it like body language, but in writing—it shapes the way you feel about the story. For example, in the classic Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen uses a witty, playful tone to both criticise and amuse.

Difference between tone and mood

It is easy to get confused between tone and mood, mistaking them for each other or using the two terms interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference, and it is important to keep this in mind to effectively invoke the desired reaction in the reader. Tone refers to the writer’s attitude—how they approach the narrative, the mental voice they create while narrating the story. Mood, on the other hand, is the feeling created for the reader—a setting of the stage, so to speak, using a host of literary techniques and imagery. 

You can differentiate between tone and mood by asking the following questions:

Tone: How does the author feel about this?

Mood: How does this make me feel?

Observing the tone also gives you a good insight into the author’s personal feelings about his characters and the subject of his work. It is important to avoid confusing this with mood, which is how the stage is set for the reader. For example, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven has a mournful tone but creates a haunting mood.

Common types of tone in literature

Tone plays a major role in helping the reader understand and relate to the story. By mirroring how the author feels about the work, it subtly judges the reader in the right direction when it comes to their approach to and understanding of the work. Authors employ different tones depending on the genre and subject of the work, for example, humorous, formal, informal, sarcastic, optimistic, pessimistic, nostalgic, angry, and somber.

If, as a writer, you find the different types of tone confusing and are not sure which to use, it would help to create tone categories to help you match the tone to the corresponding genre and choose which would be most appropriate. You also need to keep in mind the subject matter and genre of the book, and how you want the reader to approach it. For example, George Orwell’s Animal Farm carries a satirical tone critiquing political systems, and has been perceived as such by generations of readers.

How authors create tone

Creating tone is a subtle and nuanced process that requires a combination of deliberate choices and a skilled sense of narrative. Here are some practical tips that authors use when creating tone:

1. Word choice (diction): Authors have to be deliberate in their choice of words as it must be synchronous with the genre and subject matter of the book. For example, a lighthearted contemporary romance could use more informal language, whereas an academic book must employ a more formal and serious tone.

2. Sentence structure: Sentence structure is like music—the use of long and short sentences creates a medley that sets the tone of the work. For example, if the author wants to luxuriate in description and set a laid-back, meandering tone, it would help to use long and flowing sentences. On the other hand, short and abrupt sentences are useful to convey anger, frustration, and other negative emotions.

3. Imagery: The use of imagery plays a major role in setting the tone of the work and affecting the reader’s perception. Positive imagery, such as descriptions of sunshine and nature in full bloom, creates an uplifted, bright tone, while negative imagery, such as descriptions of dark, cramped spaces, ugliness, and dullness, puts the reader in a more negative frame of mind.

4. Details included or omitted: Different authors have different approaches to setting the tone of their work. While L.M. Montgomery—the author of the Anne of Green Gables series—writes detailed, flowery descriptions that set a happy, whimsical tone, whereas in Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses simple, direct diction that is unembellished with unnecessary frills and sets a realistic, sometimes grim tone. 

How to identify tone when reading

As a reader, here is a step-by-step guide to identifying tone:

1. Read a passage aloud—note emotional reactions. Does the work make you feel happy and uplifted? Does it create a feeling of unrest and anxiety? Asking these questions will help you identify the tone of the work.

2. Highlight words with strong connotations. Certain descriptions contain keywords that help you, as a reader, relate to and identify the tone. These are usually adjectives used to describe the characters and set the scene.

3. Look at imagery and pacing. If the author uses light, uplifting imagery, such as descriptions of nature, and uses long, meandering language that creates a leisurely pace, it helps the reader identify the possibly romantic or whimsical tone of the work.

4. Consider context—historical, cultural, or character perspective. The kind of language used depends to a large extent on the setting and point of view so as to avoid being asynchronous. It also plays a major role in helping the reader understand the character’s personality and convictions. For example, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s respectful but firm tone in Atticus’s courtroom speech signals moral conviction.

How tone influences the reader

As mentioned earlier, tone plays a major role in influencing how the reader feels about and relates to the work. It acts as a sort of guideline that shapes meaning, trust, and emotional connection. It is also highly dynamic—a change in tone can alter the interpretation of the same event. This is especially useful when narrating the same event from the point of view of two different characters. For example, a scene described with ‘sunlight streamed’ feels hopeful, whereas ‘sunlight glared’ feels oppressive.

Changing tone for effect

Authors often cleverly shift tone to match plot developments. This can be done in a smooth and seamless manner with changes in diction, pace, or detail during turning points, and can subtly shift the narrative and the way the reader feels about it. For example, in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shifts from a romantic tone full of possibility early on to a more cynical tone by the end, when the narrator and reader both feel aged by the events of the story.

Using tone in your own writing

Deciding on the tone to use in your own writing can be an exciting process. There are a multitude of options to choose from, and here are some tips that will help you zero in on the most effective options:

1. Decide tone before you begin drafting. If you are going to write a murder mystery, think about the era and setting of the work. If your protagonist is a police inspector from, say, the 1930s, the tone should be clipped, clinical, and pragmatic, but if they are a young, amateur detective a la Nancy Drew, the tone can be light, curious, and adventurous.

2. Match tone to your audience and purpose. Who is the target audience of your work? It is important to tailor the tone to suit their taste so that you do not lose readers. A children’s book can have a playful, whimsical tone, whereas a work of historical nonfiction marketed towards adults needs a more measured, scholarly tone.

3. Read aloud to confirm it fits your intent. This is a great way to put yourself in the shoes of the reader and see if your tone creates the desired effect. If reading aloud to yourself fails to create the desired effect, ask a trusted friend or colleague to serve as your subject and read aloud to them—their perception of and reaction towards your work will help you see if you have employed your chosen tone effectively.

Setting the tone of your work is a conscious, deliberate process that can have long-term implications on how both you and your work are remembered. Using our tips, you can make a choice that will ensure your book hits the sweet spot with your target audience!

PaperTrue offers expert, hassle-free book self-publishing services that allow you to get your manuscript edited and published by professionals. Check them out!

Here are some more resources that may help you:

Found this article helpful?

0

0

Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.