What is tone in writing?

Tone in writing refers to the author's attitude toward the subject or the audience. It encompasses the feelings or viewpoints that the author conveys through word choice, style, and perspective. For instance, tone can be serious, humorous, ironic, or nostalgic, and it shapes how readers perceive the narrative as well as the emotions they experience while reading. Understanding tone is essential for interpreting the deeper meanings in a text and recognizing the author's intent.

In contrast, the emotional expression of the author might relate more to their personal feelings rather than the attitude toward the subject matter itself. The overall plot structure is related to the storyline's organization and progression, which does not define tone. Lastly, the setting of the narrative pertains to the time and place in which the story occurs, which is separate from the author's attitude. Thus, the definition of tone is best captured by recognizing it as the author's attitude toward the subject.