Types of Tone in Writing + Tone Examples

Have you ever read a book that left you unsettled, even though you couldn’t quite explain why? Or watched a film that made you laugh during what should have been a serious moment? 

That is the invisible power of tone at work.

Tone refers to the author’s attitude toward the words, subject matter, audience, or character. It’s the overall thought conveyed through the writer’s word choice, style, and the way they present information.

Every word choice, every sentence, and every descriptive detail that brings your story to life contributes to the emotional quality that envelops your reader. When mastered, tone becomes the bridge that connects your audience to your characters, making fictional experiences feel authentic.

Whether you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, tone dictates how readers emotionally connect with your story. 

Get it right, and your audience is fully immersed in your world. Get it wrong, and even the best plot can fall flat, leaving readers disconnected from the experience you’ve worked so hard to create.

What is Tone in Writing

Tone in writing reveals the writer’s or narrator’s attitude toward the subject, character, or situation. 

It’s the difference between a friend saying, “Are you sure?” and someone saying, “You’re wrong.” Same idea, completely different sentiment.

The Building Blocks of Tone

The tone in your writing style is conveyed through deliberate word choices, sentence structure, and style. It shapes every part of your story, from the way your characters speak to how the narrator guides the reader.

Consider the words in these two sentences describing the same scene:

“The door creaked open, revealing darkness beyond.”

“The door burst open, exposing the void that awaited.”

Both describe a door opening to darkness. But the first suggests mystery while the second creates dread. The difference? Tone.

How Tone Differs from Mood

Tone and mood are often mixed up, but they’re not the same. Tone is how you sound when telling the story. Mood is the emotional response a story evokes in the reader as they experience it. 

Here’s a quick tone example from The Great Gatsby:

1. Gatsby: “Can’t repeat the past? Why, of course you can!”

Tone: Hopeful, delusional
Mood: The reader feels uneasy or wistful.

2. Nick (narration): “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

Tone: Reflective, melancholic
Mood: The reader feels contemplative or bittersweet.

Here, Fitzgerald’s choice of dialogue and narration shapes the tone, while the emotions those words stir in the reader create the mood.

How is Tone Different from Voice

Voice is your writing’s personality. It’s the way you sound on the page, and it usually stays the same. Tone is your attitude toward the subject matter, audience, or character. It changes depending on what’s happening in the story.

Let’s take Mr. Darcy’s words as a tone example from the famous Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

Mr. Darcy’s voice is typically formal and reserved, but his tone shifts depending on the moment.

1. In a tense confrontation with Elizabeth:
   Darcy: “Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?”
   Tone: Reserved voice, condescending tone
2. In a vulnerable moment of confession:
   Darcy: “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
   Tone: Reserved voice, sincere, emotional, and persuasive tone

In both scenes, Darcy’s voice remains composed and formal. But his tone adjusts from cold pride to heartfelt openness, shaping how we experience the moment.

The Grammar of Tone

Tone isn’t just about the words you use; it’s also how you structure your sentences using punctuation. The same sentence can feel completely different depending on these choices.

Tone example:

1. “She left. It was over.”
   The words in the sentence feels final and decisive. The period gives a sense of certainty and closure.
2. “She left; it was over.”
   The semicolon adds a pause, making the moment feel more reflective or resigned. It suggests that the speaker is processing the situation.
3. “She left—it was over.”
   The em dash creates an abrupt, solemn tone, as if the speaker feels overwhelmed by the realization, adding a sense of resignation or shock.

Each version conveys a different emotional texture, even though the message is the same. 

The Emotional Impact of Tone

Even small changes in tone can shift the direction of your story, influencing its momentum, mood, and the choices your characters make.  A slight shift in tone can make a scene feel completely different, for better or worse.

Tone example:

1. Imagine if a funeral scene were written in a cheerful tone: 

“Everyone was laughing and joking, enjoying the sunny day as they gathered to remember him.”
This tone example is cheerful and feels out of place. It could make readers feel that the author is being insensitive to the gravity of the situation.

2. Here’s an overly dramatic tone (read the words out loud) to describe a simple lunch: 

“The aroma of the freshly baked sandwich filled the room like a glorious symphony of flavors!”
This over-the-top tone example feels exaggerated and might make readers roll their eyes instead of connecting with the scene.

Your tone is the emotional framework that shapes how your readers connect with your story. Whether you want to evoke warmth, humor, authority, or vulnerability, mastering tone helps you control the emotional flow of your entire narrative.

10 Tone Examples Every Writer Must Know

While tone can vary widely across all types of stories, understanding these common tone examples can help you create emotional texture in your narrative. 

Remember that you need to blend multiple tones or shift tone throughout the story to create depth and complexity in your words.

1. Formal Tone

A formal tone establishes authority and creates a sense of gravity in your writing. You’ll find it in historical fiction, historical fiction, or when characters are navigating official proceedings. 

Tone example: 

“The committee has reviewed your petition and finds insufficient evidence to warrant further investigation. The matter is hereby considered closed.” 

Formal tone requires precise language, minimal or no contractions, and often employs sophisticated vocabulary. 

Here’s another example from Les Misérables to put things into perspective: “After long deliberation, Inspector Javert concluded that the law must be upheld, regardless of the individual circumstances. He could not allow personal sentiments to cloud his judgment. With a solemn gesture, he signed the order for the arrest, knowing that it was his duty to ensure the law prevailed, without exception or mercy.” 

Pro tip: A formal tone can help establish authority and create distance. But it’s important to avoid making it feel too stiff or unnatural unless that’s the effect you’re aiming for.

2. Informal Tone 

An informal tone creates immediacy and connection with readers. This type of tone is perfect for contemporary fiction, character-driven narratives, or creating intimacy with your audience. 

Tone example: 

“You seriously forgot my birthday? Wow. Just… wow. I mean, I’m not mad or anything—okay, that’s a total lie. I’m definitely mad. But whatever, it’s fine. We can just pretend today never happened.” 

Informal tone relies on contractions, slang, and relaxed phrasing in the words that mimic natural speech patterns. 

Now, here’s a simple example from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: “People always think something’s all true. I don’t know why. You take somebody like Stradlater. He’s a very handsome guy, and he thinks he’s the best dresser, and all that stuff, but I don’t care. I don’t even know why I’m telling you about him.” 

Pro tip: Informal tone works particularly well in first-person narratives or close third-person viewpoints where you want readers to feel like they’re inside a character’s head.

3. Sarcastic Tone 

A sarcastic tone uses irony and sharp humor to make a point, often revealing deeper frustrations or truths about a situation or character.

Tone example:
“Oh, great. Another apocalypse. Just what I needed to complete my Thursday.”

The character is clearly annoyed, but they joke instead of reacting seriously. Sarcasm is saying the opposite of what you mean, to show how ridiculous something is. It makes them seem calm, but really, they might be hiding how they feel.

Here’s an example from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: “‘Oh, brilliant,’ said Arthur, rolling his eyes. ‘Just what we need. Another crisis. Because we didn’t have enough already.’”

Pro Tip: Sarcasm works best in dialogue or first-person narration. But use it carefully; too much can feel overwhelming or lose its impact.

4. Curious Tone 

A curious tone invites readers to become active participants in solving mysteries alongside your characters. It’s particularly effective in thrillers and detective stories, but can create suspense in any genre. 

Tone example:
“But why was the painting missing from the vault when no one had entered the room? And why did the camera show static only during those exact seven minutes?”

This writing tone uses rhetorical questions and slow reveals to create a curious tone. It works especially well in thrillers, mysteries, or any scene where something feels off.

Detective Blanc from Knives Out often questions small details, which puts this theory in action: “The doughnut hole… inside the doughnut… has a hole in its center. A doughnut hole in a doughnut hole.”  It’s quirky, but it shows how his mind keeps digging deeper.

Pro Tip: Use this tone in your words to spark curiosity and keep readers asking questions.

5. Assertive Tone 

An assertive tone conveys strength and conviction. It’s ideal for leadership moments, pivotal action scenes, or situations where a character needs to persuade others during a critical moment.

Tone example:
“We don’t have time to hesitate. Move now, or we lose our chance. This isn’t a democracy; it’s a rescue mission.”
Short, clear sentences like this show control and urgency.

From The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:
“I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!” This line bursts with assertiveness, a bold, passionate declaration in a moment of crisis, showing absolute conviction and courage.

Let’s put this type of writing tone into an example and read this line from Braveheart:
“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”
That’s an assertive tone at its peak, rallying others with confidence and passion.

Pro Tip: An assertive tone works particularly well for character growth arcs, where a previously uncertain character finds their voice and conviction through the course of the story.

6. Optimistic Tone 

An optimistic tone reflects possibilities and positive outcomes. It’s perfect for inspirational stories, coming-of-age narratives, or adding light to darker storylines. 

Tone example:
“No matter how dark the night, the sun always rises. She had survived worse than this—and would find her way forward. This setback was just another chance to prove her resilience.”

The positive or uplifting tone here recognizes challenges but highlights the strength to overcome them.

This dialogue from The Pursuit of Happyness explains this better: “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it.”
The line is hopeful, encouraging the belief that persistence leads to success.

Pro Tip: Optimistic tone in your words helps balance darker moments, making the story feel hopeful while still respecting the challenges faced.

7. Pessimistic Tone 

A pessimistic tone refers to the world through a lens of skepticism or resignation. It’s effective for dystopian fiction, noir stories, or characters who have been deeply wounded by life. 

Tone example:
“People don’t change. They just get better at hiding who they really are. Twenty years on the force had taught Detective Mercer that much. Behind every smile lurked self-interest; behind every promise, a potential betrayal.” 

This tone uses blunt sentences to express disillusionment with human nature.

This dialogue from Se7en helps us understand this further: “Ernest Hemingway once wrote, ‘The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.”

Detective Somerset’s line expresses a deep pessimism about the world, yet leaves room for a flicker of belief.

Pro Tip: Pessimistic tone adds depth and grit to your story, making rare moments of beauty or hope feel even more significant when they occur.

8. Nostalgic Tone 

A nostalgic tone reflects on memories and examines the relationship between past and present, making it ideal for memoirs, character flashbacks, or stories exploring themes of memory and identity. 

Tone example:

“The smell of fresh bread took him back to Sunday mornings in his grandmother’s kitchen. He could almost hear the creak of the floor, feel the warmth from the oven, see the flour dusting her hands as she kneaded the dough.”

Here, the intended tone uses sensory details to make the past feel vivid and real, focusing on small moments that evoke deeper memories.

Let’s read this example from To Kill a Mockingbird to understand this tone better:

“Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape…” 

Pro Tip: Nostalgic tone works well for emotional scenes, making the past feel both precious and fleeting, especially when paired with a contrast to the present.

9. Joyful Tone 

A joyful tone is full of energy, positivity, and warmth, perfect for uplifting moments, comedies, or moments of success in a character’s journey.

Tone example:

“She spun around the kitchen, humming, her heart lighter than it had been in years. The letter in her hand held everything she had hoped for—confirmation, validation, a future.”

This tone uses vivid imagery and active verbs to convey the character’s elation.

This line from The Pursuit of Happyness helps add depth to the theory: “You got a dream, you gotta protect it.” It’s uplifting, embodying the character’s joy in realizing his dreams are within reach.

Pro Tip: This tone should feel infectious, making readers feel as if they’re experiencing the character’s happiness and enthusiasm. It’s great for creating feel-good moments and highlighting triumphs.

10. Informative Tone 

You use an informative tone to convey knowledge or explain concepts clearly and precisely. It’s great for world-building, explaining technical details, or educating the reader without overwhelming them.

Tone example:
“The planet’s gravity was 1.2 times that of Earth, making movement slightly heavier and falls more dangerous. The atmosphere contained 23% oxygen—enough for humans to survive, but thin enough to cause shortness of breath during physical activity.”

This tone breaks down scientific information into easy-to-understand terms, providing factual details without making it feel like a lecture.

Here’s a great book example that illustrates an informative tone, this time from Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: “The lysine contingency is intended to prevent the spread of the animals in case they ever got off the island. The animals were engineered to be lysine-deficient; without supplemental lysine, they’ll slip into a coma and die.”

Pro Tip: An informative tone is precise and clear, focusing on making complex topics understandable. It should feel knowledgeable, without being patronizing.

How to Choose the Right Tone for Your Story

Selecting the intended tone for your story is about making intentional choices that enhance your narrative. 

While there are common associations between genres and tones, the most memorable stories often come from thoughtful decisions about how you want readers to feel as they journey through your world.

Consider Genre Conventions

Genre creates certain expectations in your readers’ minds, and tone plays a crucial role in meeting those expectations.

Tone example: 

1. Horror stories often use dark, concerned tones to build tension and make readers feel uneasy. In The Shining, Stephen King uses a tense tone to reflect the main character’s mental breakdown.
2. Romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally use light, fun tones to make the happy ending feel rewarding and earned.

But don’t feel limited by genre norms. Some of the most interesting stories mix tones in unexpected ways—like the dark humor in Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or the surprising warmth in The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Align Tone with Theme

Your story’s central themes should shape its tone. A novel about grief, like Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, naturally has a reflective, sad tone that captures the weight of loss.

On the other hand, a screenplay about an underdog’s success, like Rocky, uses an inspiring, determined tone to reflect the protagonist’s journey from struggle to victory.

The tone acts as the backdrop for your theme. If the theme is justice, a strong, urgent tone might fit. If it’s about disillusionment, a tone that gradually darkens could show that shift.

Match Tone to Character Voice

Your protagonist’s perspective plays a big role in shaping the story’s tone. A sarcastic character like Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye creates a cynical, judgmental tone throughout the narrative. 

On the other hand, a noble hero like Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird sets a serious, compassionate tone that deepens the story’s moral themes.

In first-person narration, the narrator’s personality will heavily influence the tone. In third person, the tone can be shaped more independently, not tied to any one character’s viewpoint.

Mastering Many Tones

Many great stories don’t stick to one tone but shift between different emotional registers to mirror the journey of the narrative. These tonal shifts create more depth and complexity, making the experience feel more realistic.

For example, The Princess Bride mixes satire with romance and adventure, balancing playfulness with moments of real tension and emotion. Similarly, Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit blends absurd comedy with the harsh realities of Nazi Germany, moving through different tones as the protagonist’s understanding of the world evolves.

In literature, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History shifts from intellectual curiosity to dread as the story progresses, using tone changes to reflect the moral descent of the characters.

The key to multi-tonal storytelling is smooth transitions. Abrupt shifts can confuse readers unless carefully planned. For instance, a brief moment of humor can lighten a tense scene, making both the tension and humor more impactful.

Effective multi-tonal works establish a primary tone, with purposeful shifts that enhance the narrative rather than distract from it. These transitions should feel natural, like the changing emotions in real life.

Tone in Dialogue vs. Tone in Description

The tone in your writing doesn’t apply uniformly across all elements of your story. Dialogue and description serve different functions and offer unique opportunities to create tonal depth and contrast.

Dialogue Reflects Character, Personality, and Tone

Tone is what gives the dialogue its emotional and psychological depth. It’s the how behind the words. In the examples we discussed, tone helped do the following:

1. Convey emotion beneath the surface.
   Sarcasm in “Oh, sure, blow up the city” tells us the character isn’t just making a joke; they’re frustrated, maybe even bitter. The tone adds subtext.
2. Reveal power dynamics.
   “You have no idea what you’ve done,” when spoken in a serious, authoritative tone, raises the stakes and signals consequences. That same line in a scared or panicked tone would mean something completely different.
3. Shape character identity.
   Whether someone says, “We’re screwed” or “The situation appears unfavorable,” the tone behind those words hints at who they are, their background, mindset, maybe even how they handle stress. It gives their personality texture.

So, in essence, tone transforms dialogue from just information into a tool for storytelling. 

Narrative or Description Sets the Atmosphere

Dialogue reveals character, but description sets the stage for the world they live in. The tone of your descriptions shapes how readers see everything from settings to action.

For example: “The sea stretched endlessly, a shimmering canvas of blues and golds, inviting contemplation of its timeless secrets.” This tone feels peaceful and full of possibility.

But if you change the tone: “The waves crashed angrily, dragging the remains of the wreck beneath their depths. No witness would remain.” It shifts to a more concerned tone.

The tone of descriptions comes from word choice, rhythm, and imagery. A forest can be “sun-dappled and whispering with life” or “shadow-choked and unnervingly silent”. Both describe the same thing, but with different emotions.

Great stories balance dialogue and descriptive tone. These contrasts add a layer of complexity to the story.

Let Your Tone Speak for You

Tone is a powerful tool for any writer. It shapes how readers feel, whether they laugh, cry, shiver, or reflect deeply. Tone creates the emotional atmosphere of your story, often lingering long after the details fade.

Ask yourself: What is the dominant tone of your story? Knowing this helps ensure consistency and clarity, even in stories with tonal variety.

Try experimenting with tone in your next scene. Rewrite the same moment in different tones. The story remains the same; it’s just the tone that shifts.

Ready to harness this knowledge in your own story or screenplay? Use Squibler to write with purpose, precision, and tone that resonates.

FAQs

How do authors set the tone?

Authors set the tone through word choice, sentence structure, pacing, and imagery. For example, “trudge” feels heavy and tired, while “stroll” feels light and relaxed—both are tone examples based on diction. Short sentences can build tension; long ones create a thoughtful tone. What details the writer highlights or skips also shapes the tone.

How do you explain tone to someone?

Tone in writing is like tone of voice in speech. It’s how you say something, not just what you say. Describing rain as “gentle patter” vs “furious downpour” is a clear tone example. It shows the writer’s attitude toward the subject and shapes how readers feel.

What is an example of mood and tone?

In Frankenstein, the tone is reflective and sad, which creates a gloomy mood. In contrast, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy uses a dry, humorous tone to create a playful mood. These tone examples show how tone (writer’s attitude) creates mood (what the reader feels).

Can tone evolve throughout a story?

Yes, tone often shifts as the story progresses. The Great Gatsby starts with awe and shifts to disillusionment. These tone examples show how changes in plot or character growth can naturally shift the tone over time, making the story emotionally dynamic.

Khadija Leon