TONEBy: Kendra Otis, Dakota Lamb, Reed Connelly,

John Harbaugh, and Ryan Avolese

Overview:1. What is Tone?

2. Why is it important?3. What to consider before you start writing

4. Do’s and Don'ts of Tone5. Tone Words

What Is Tone?Attitude or emotion toward the subject

or reader

Why Is Tone Important?

Tone helps convey a particular message from the

writer

Tone affects how the reader receives the message

It is not “what” you say, but “how” you

say it.

Frost tells us about his past with a “sigh” this gives the above lines an unhappy tone.

“I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference”Robert Frost

Before writing ask yourself 3

things…

1. Why am I writing this document?

The purpose of your document will help you determine how you should

express your message

2. Who am I writing this document to?

Who is your audience?

3. What tone should I use...?

Using the appropriate tone allows you to: Accomplish your goals more quicklyGet your point across more efficiently

Now that you have started your writing...

There are a few Do’s and Don’ts when incorporating tone into your writing

Do Use a formal tone when writing for professional

purposes.

Your tone should be Courteous and Professional

at all times...

Appropriate times to use Informal tone

● Creative realm● Memoirs● Blogs● Stories● Email (depends on recipient)

It should convey Strength and Confidence

A confident tone will have a persuasive effect on

your audience

However, do not be overconfident... This can be interpreted as arrogant or rude

“I am better than you at your job”

Be Honest and Sincere

Without this, politeness can sound condescending

Use appropriate Emphasis

A short sentence will help readers effectively convey

an important idea

Always use appropriate Language

Nondiscriminatory

Express equality and respect for all individuals

Use Clear, Concise, Simple language

Use the appropriate level of difficulty in your writing to clearly convey your message

Do Use an Active rather than a Passive voice

It is more direct, and portrays a willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions

Stress the benefits for the reader

Will help you avoid sounding self-centered and uninterested

Avoid Subjectivity...Focus the writing on the subject matter rather

than yourself

E.G:If you are writing a sports article on the Denver Broncos, make sure you DON’T talk about your personal feelings towards the Broncos. Subjective writing is easily discredited.

Avoid

passive aggressive tones

"Mistakes were made..."

"That was taken out of context..."

DON’T use CAPS LOCK It can come off as YELLING at someone...

CAN I HELP YOU?vs.

Can I help you?

Avoid personalizing pronouns

Can come off as personalizing the problem

Do choose your words wisely

Put in a great deal of thought and care into your word choice

Tone WordsPositive:

● affectionate ● hilarious● hopeful● humorous● interested● joyful

● adoring● appreciative● admiring● friendly● funny● gleeful

Negative: ● ambiguous● ambivalent● angry● annoyed● bitter● hopeless

● hostile● mocking● pathetic● stressful● uncertain● somber

Conclusion:

With the advice of this tutorial, you are prepared to correctly and powerfully convey

tone in your writing. Remember to complete the 3 steps of pre writing and choose your words

wisely!

Bibliography

http://www.writeexpress.com/tone.htmlhttps://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/652/1/http://www.writingwithclarity.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Words_of_wisdom_Melcrum.pdf

Bibliography Continued

http://www.execuwrite.net/writing-advice/appropriate-business-tone.htmlhttp://insidebiz.com/news/dont-ignore-tone-your-writinghttp://www.directutor.com/content/using-appropriate-tone-business-writing

Bibliography Continued

https://www.boundless.com/business/business-writing/creating-high-value-communications/appropriate-tone/http://writingcommons.org/open-text/genres/professional-and-technical-writing/effective-business-writing/1082-diplomacy-tone-and-emphasis-in-business-writing

Bibliography Continued

http://pages.uoregon.edu/ddusseau/101/199/style.html