Some Things To Know About Tone & Style
Let's talk about tone and style in writing - how they enhance your storytelling and how to use them to make your writing more like you.
If you ever wrote a book report you’re at least vaguely familiar with the terms tone and style.
You had to be with questions like: describe the tone of this passage. But that was several years ago. At least for me.
I’m writing this as a refresher or if you’re in the dark about what is tone and style, this will cover just about everything you need to know. Including several examples of it. The differences between the two, and if you’ve already read my editorial on writing voice — why tone and style are not the same as voice. But actually go into your writing voice.
Last I’ll be covering how knowing the above will greatly enhance your writing. Turns out, our teachers were onto something. 😉
Goal: By the end of this read, you’ll know *almost* everything about tone and style. (I’ll revisit this editorial from time to time to make that statement more absolute) And be able to apply it or refine it in your writing.
What Is Tone?
Tone is the attitude or mood you're conveying in a particular piece. The way you emotionally express said piece. Which is achieved through stylistic devices.
In Octavia Butler's 'Kindred' you’ll find a serious, introspective, and often unsettling tone. Which is characterized by the raw depiction of the brutalities of slavery.
In Sunny Hostin's 'Summer on the Bluffs' (my summer read this year) - you’ll find something quite the opposite with a tone that is breezy, thoughtful, light, and warm. There's a dash of mystery and drama that keeps things interesting, balanced with moments of reflection on family, race, and privilege. It's smart without being heavy-handed.
Both books tackle race (of course in wildly different ways), that’s why I wanted to compare the two. Though the setting, the POV and other factors attribute to the differences in tone. I enjoyed both books and believe each tone is important.
But my overall point here is to convey that tone plays important role on how your story is received and the kind of readers you attract.
What Is Style?
If tone is the attitude, style is the execution. It's how you string your words together, the rhythm of your sentences, the vocabulary you use, imagery, figurative language, quirks and flourishes that make your writing uniquely yours and other devices.
Let's look back at Octavia Butler’s “Kindred.” Butler’s style is direct, visceral, and honest. She employs lean, no-frills prose that cuts straight to the heart of the matter, eschewing flowery language for raw, impactful storytelling. Couple that with first-person narration to immerse readers in the protagonist's experiences. Last her sentences are often short and punchy, building tension and urgency.
And Sunny Hostin’s "Summer on the Bluffs" is polished and engaging. She employs a smooth, flowing prose that's easy to read yet sophisticated. Her dialogue is snappy and realistic, capturing the nuances of different personalities and relationships. Hostin also doesn't shy away from addressing serious topics, but she does so with a light touch that keeps the overall tone buoyant.
I hope your cogs are starting to spin and you’re starting to see how tone and style work together. And again, the role it plays in your story.
Difference Between Tone & Style
I want to stop and clarify that while they are similar, they are not the same. They serve different purposes in your writing but work very close together.
Tone is about emotion and attitude. It's the feeling you're trying to convey. Style, on the other hand, is about technique and execution. It's how you convey that feeling.
Cheat Sheet: tone is what you say, style is how you say it.
You could have a humorous tone (what you're saying) delivered through a terse style (how you're saying it).
Or you could have a melancholic tone expressed through flowing, lyrical prose.
The key is to have tone and style work in harmony, reinforcing each other to create a powerful reading experience.
Tone & Style = Voice?
If you haven’t already, I recommend reading my editorial on: Writer’s Voice. It’s just as important as these two and will help you further understand their differences and how they come together.
If you’ve already read it, here’s a quick refresher:
Voice is the overall personality of your writing. It's the culmination of your tone, style, and unique perspective. If tone is what you say and style is how you say it, voice is the whole package - it's you on the page.
Think of Toni Morrison's powerful, poetic voice. Her voice is instantly recognizable, a perfect blend of tone, style, and personal perspective.
Using Tone + Style To Your Advantage
If you’re following you should have a good idea of tone and style. Knowing these terms in one part, knowing how to use them is the rest.
Here’s a few ways I’ve learned from my writing, and ones I’ve seen other authors do:
- Know your audience: Your tone should resonate with your intended readers. (If you’re a beginner don’t worry about this so much)
- Be consistent: While your tone can shift to reflect different stories, or scenes or characters, your style will overall be more consistent. Still, whiplash-inducing tone changes can leave readers feeling disoriented.
- Read widely: The best way to develop your style is to expose yourself to a variety of writing. Read my editorial: Why Reading Is Non-Negotiable
- Practice, practice, practice: You knew this was coming. Like any skill, mastering tone and style takes time and effort. Write often, experiment with different approaches, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
- Get feedback: Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees in your own writing. Get honest feedback from trusted readers or join a writing group. A good book coach can help you define and refine these things.
Tone and style are play a big role in your writing. I showed some examples today on how that plays out.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to tone and style. As I said, take some time to practice in your own writing.
In the words of Oscar Wilde, "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." And in writing, that's the best advice you can follow.
