Having many varying characteristics complicatedĪgree or obey rules acquiescent flexible submissive Sympathetic empathetic warm-hearted tolerant kind Informal lively conversational familiarįamiliar everyday language informal colloquial casual Making biting, corrosive comments critical Truthful, straightforward honest unreserved Sympathetic tolerant generous caring well meaningĪngry acrimonious antagonistic spiteful nastyĬruel disregard unfeeling uncaring indifferent ruthless Self-confident strong-willed authoritative insistentĪmazed, filled with wonder/awe reverential Pompous disdainful overbearing condescending vain scoffing Grateful thankful showing pleasure enthusiastic Showing little interest lacking concern indifferent unemotionalįull of regret repentant remorseful acknowledging failure Incensed or enraged threatening or menacingįull of life or excitement lively spirited impassioned vibrant Having mixed feelings uncertain in a dilemma undecided

Hostile determined forceful argumentative Sharp forthright biting hurtful abrasive severeĪpproving think highly of respectful praising Suggesting someone has done something wrong, complaining Illogical ridiculous silly implausible foolish 155 Words To Describe An Author’s Tone Tone In creative writing, your tone is more subjective, but you should always aim to communicate clearly. The writing level should be sophisticated, but not pretentious. In formal writing, your tone should be clear, concise, confident, and courteous.

What do I want the reader to learn, understand, or think about?.

You can usually find a tone by asking these three questions: It is the way you express yourself in speech or writing. Tone is conveyed through diction (choice and use of words and phrases), viewpoint, syntax (grammar how you put words and phrases together), and level of formality. (Click here for examples of tone in a story.) The mechanics of tone This gives you ways to create writing that affects your audience’s mood. You may not be able to alter your personality but you can adjust your attitude. Tone (attitude) and voice (personality) create a writing style. Voice can be explained as the author’s personality expressed in writing. What the reader feels is known as the mood.

What the author feels about the subject is often defined as the tone. Tone refers to an author’s use of words and writing style to convey their attitude towards a topic. We have defined tone and put together this list of 155 words to help you describe an author’s tone. Writers Write is a comprehensive writing resource.

Words of wonder level 105