Tone and Mood in Literature: What's the Difference, written by MasterClass. Last updated: • read. Although the literary terms "tone and mood" may seem interchangeable, they are not synonymous. Tone, in literature, is the author's attitude manifested through writing style, word choice, and sentence structure. It evokes emotions in the reader, ultimately enhancing the overall effect of. Whether formal, informal, serious, humorous, optimistic or cynical, the different types of tones give context to words, ultimately influencing how readers interpret and engage with the story and all the different characters that it contains. In short, the author's tone impacts the reader's mood. When you determine what types of tones you want to use. For them, add a good drizzle of olive oil to a pan and brown the peppers over high heat for a few minutes. They should be toasted and soft. Add salt and set aside. Finally cook the loin. In the same pan where you made the peppers, add a good drizzle of olive oil and heat intensely. Tone refers to the author's or narrator's attitude toward the subject or audience. It is conveyed through the use of language, word choice, syntax, and other stylistic elements, and can create a specific emotional response in the reader. Tone can be used to convey a wide range of emotions, such as humor, irony, sadness, anger.