It’s a simple question, but the answer can be rather complicated. In this post, we’ll break down the 9 different types of tones in writing.
In basic terms, tone usually refers to how a writer uses certain words in a specific way to convey non-verbal observations about specific subjects. Not only does tone help to deliver facts, but it delivers them with an attitude. With emotion. With a personal perspective.
1. Joyful
This tone in writing focuses on the positive emotions that are experienced in the moment of an action. If you eat something you like, then you feel joy. When you experience reciprocal love, you feel joy.
Writers use this tone to create relationship-building experiences between their readers and their characters.
2. Serious
This tone in writing creates a level of suspense within the reader. With this tone, the writer conveys the message that the concepts in the text are important. This, in turn, increases the reader’s focus.
3. Humorous
Being funny does more than make people laugh. It also makes them begin to think about difficult concepts in a way that feels safe.
This tone in writing is often intended to draw the reader into a story or narrative so they can engage with certain facts or opinions the author feels are important to share.
4. Sad
Sadness is a very real part of the human condition. In many ways, our saddest days define who we are as people. When incorporated as a tone in writing, the reader becomes sympathetic with the characters or the author. This empathy will keep them engaged with the narrative.
5. Formal
This tone in writing is often seen from an academic standpoint. It requires structured language, higher reading skills, and presents more facts that can be proven than the opinions of the writer.
6. Informal
The goal of this content is to have an informal tone. It’s conversational, but still conveys a certain sense of expertise within the subject material.
7. Optimistic
There’s a lot of bad stuff going on in the world today. Yet there is also a belief that the world can and will be a better place one day if we’re willing to work for it. This would be an example of an optimistic tone.
8. Pessimistic
When there’s a lot of bad stuff going on in the world, it can feel like that bad stuff will only get worse. That kind of tone would be an example of being pessimistic. Pessimism is not realism. Being pessimistic means having a belief that something will never get better, even if the facts may seem to indicate otherwise.
9. Horror
This tone of voice is threatening in nature. It speaks to the core fears that people have and forces them to confront those fears.