Final answer:
Style and tone are essential in biographies as they shape the reader's perception of the subject, ensuring consistency, authenticity, and engagement. An author's style includes vocabulary and narrative techniques, while tone reflects their attitude, both needing to align with the biography's mood and information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Style and tone are critical in biographies and picture book biographies because they influence how readers perceive the subject. The author's style encompasses their vocabulary, use of imagery, and overall narrative approach, which must match the mood and information of the biography. Similarly, tone, which is the writer's attitude towards their subject, must be consistent and convey authenticity to the readers. A respectful and admiring tone, such as in a biography of John Lewis, helps to engage the readers and aligns with the portrayal of a courageous subject. Quotations from other people should fit into the established tone to maintain coherence in the narrative.
Profile writing, existing between interviews and formal biographies, uses narrative and reporting techniques to show and tell the subject's story, thereby requiring a careful balance in tone to reflect the intended perspective. Tone can include informal, formal, sarcastic, or playful attitudes, and is often shaped by diction, guiding the emotional journey of the reader. Ultimately, the consistency and appropriateness of the tone, alongside a well-crafted style, are foundational to a strong and engaging profile or biography.