Tone


Tone refers to a speaker’s or writer’s attitude toward his or her subject and audience. As readers, we may identify a tone generally as angry, humorous, serious, formal, or informal, but tones can often be more specific and complex. For instance, a humorous tone can be more specifically sarcastic. An angry tone can be more specifically indignant. Choose a tone that will evoke the reaction to your message that you want your readers to have.


Imagine a customer responding to a grocery store clerk who is having an off day. Note how the different tones each reveal a different attitude:


Indignant: Never, in thirty years of shopping at this grocery store, have I ever experienced such incompetence. Where did you learn to count change?! You should be embarrassed.


Humble: I’m sorry to bother you, but I gave you a $20, right? Would you mind double-checking? I mean, I’ve had a long day, so maybe I miscounted…


Sarcastic: Wow. Great service here today. No wonder the checkout line is so long.


Sympathetic: I know you are under a lot of pressure to help all these customers. I get flustered too when I am stressed, so I can understand why you gave me the wrong change. I really appreciate you taking your time to correct this.


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