Tone in literature refers to the author's attitude toward a certain subject. Through specific word choice, the author reveals his or her feelings and opinions to the reader, conveying the author's intentions. What is the author's tone When we talk about an author's tone, we are referring to the attitude or feeling that their writing conveys. It's like when someone learns to identify the tone of literature, the attitude that a character, narrator, or author takes toward a given subject. See how tone can change and be, Examples of Tone in Writing. The following excerpt from “Don't Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” a poem by Dylan Thomas, expresses a tone of urgency and desperation: “Don't Go Gentle Into That Good Night, See Examples, Types and the definition of the author. Learn that authors often hope to persuade, inform, and entertain. Tone amp Mood in literature, definition, function amp 49When the right tone is used, the writing can transcend the words on the page. This is what allows writers to create complex characters, to build a world that feels real. “The tone, to me, is like the house elf of Harry Potter crafting,” says author and sensitive reader Dennis Norris II. “If I remember the language of something I read, I follow it. The former is more informal and casual, while the latter is more formal. Generally, there are three categories of tones in writing: positive, negative, and neutral. Within these categories are various intensities of emotion that writers may want to evoke. For example, to create a calming, positive tone, a writer might use words such as "quite." 1. Formal tone. As the name suggests, a formal tone is akin to a written black-tie event. It's crisp, clean and exudes an air of authority and professionalism. This tone is the tailor-made suit of language – impeccably ironed, not a hair out of place. In literature, the tone of a piece of writing reflects the attitude of the author or narrator. According to the online etymology dictionary, the word tone comes from the Latin tonus and the Greek word tonos, which means "vocal tone, raising of the voice, accent, key in music." It makes sense that a word describing voice pitch evolved. Tone, in literature, is the author's attitude manifested through writing style, word choice, and sentence structure. It evokes emotions in the reader, ultimately strengthening the overall effect of the narrative. Delving into the origins of tone allows us to better understand this crucial literary element.