Tone is the general character or attitude of a piece of writing, conveyed through word choice, syntax, imagery, and style. It reflects the writer's attitude toward the subject or the audience and shapes how the reader responds.

Tone can be formal, informal, ironic, sarcastic, nostalgic, solemn, playful, or many other qualities. It is distinct from mood, which is the emotional atmosphere experienced by the reader. Identifying tone is a key skill in literary analysis and rhetoric.

Key points

• Writer's attitude in a text
• Conveyed through language and style
• Distinct from mood
• Central to literary analysis