How do you identify the "tone" of a piece of writing?

The tone of a piece of writing is primarily identified by analyzing the author's attitude or feelings toward the subject or audience, which is conveyed through specific word choices and the overall style of the text. Tone can be recognized through the use of descriptive language, punctuation, and the emotional weight of the words selected by the author. For instance, a text can have a formal, serious tone if the author uses sophisticated vocabulary and structure, or it can have a light-hearted, humorous tone if the author employs playful language and a casual structure. Understanding tone helps readers interpret the underlying messages and emotional context of the writing.

Other methods, such as examining plot structure, focusing on character interactions, or noting the setting, contribute to the overall understanding of a narrative but do not directly reveal the author's tone in the same way that word choice and style do. These elements may provide context and enhance the emotional landscape, but they are not the primary indicators of tone.