Detecting Tone in a Short Story

The tone of a story is the implied attitude of the writer or the speaker toward the subject, the material and/or the audience.

In order to detect the tone of the story, the reader should look for the emotional meaning or the emotional coloring of the story. In particular, the reader should examine certain aspects of the story such as diction and mood.

The tone of a short story may be described with terms like:

informal
formal
serious
angry
ironic
tender

Purpose of Tone

Tone is the writer's attitude toward her subject matter and/or her reader. The purpose of tone is to create an atmosphere or mood. The atmosphere or mood is what the reader feels as a result of the tone that the writer presents in his short story.

The tone of a short story may be satirical, passionate, sarcastic, or humorous. In other words, tone can be anything, but the tone the writer chooses is a reflection of her attitude or the attitude of her characters.

The purpose of tone is to create an atmosphere or mood.

For example

A writer of a children's story might use humor to reflect a casual and fun attitude toward his subject.

Looking for Attitude

When trying to detect the tone of a short story, the reader should look for the writer's attitude toward the subject of the story and/or her reader.

The process of detecting tone in fiction is similar to the process of detecting tone a person's speech.

For example

A customer service representative might use a detached or abrasive tone when speaking to a customer.

This tone reflects his apathy or unpleasant attitude toward the customer. Likewise, the writer’s tone reflects his attitude toward the story and/or the reader.

Detecting Tone using Diction

In order to detect the tone in a short story, the reader should examine the story's diction and mood. Diction refers to the types of words that the writer chooses to tell the story. The writer’s attitude or tone is often expressed by the connotation of words; therefore, diction often reveals the story's tone.

For example

A writer may use certain expressions or hyperbole to indicate a sarcastic attitude or tone. Likewise, he might use vulgar language to indicate his disgust with a particular subject.

Detecting Tone using Mood

In detecting tone, the reader should also examine the kind of atmosphere or mood that the story creates. The tone of the story creates a certain atmosphere, evoking particular feelings in the reader.

If the writer builds a lot of tension and creates a sense of mystery then the reader will feel an atmosphere of anticipation and danger. This mood is a reflection on the tone of the story. The tone of this kind of story might be serious, formal or passionate.

The tone of the story creates a certain atmosphere, evoking particular feelings in the reader.

Examples of words to describe tone:

Uneasy
Sarcastic
Reverent
Regretful
Regretful
Pessimistic
Persuasive
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Lighthearted
Joyful
Inspirational
Humorous
Facetious
Dry
Cheerful
Assertive
Arrogant

Examples of Tone in a Short Story

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Describing idyllic country existence

One warm afternoon, Fern and Avery put on bathing suits and went down to the brook for a swim. Wilbur tagged along at Fern's heels. When she waded into the brook, Wilbur waded in with her. He found the water quite cold-too cold for his liking. So while the children swam and played and splashed water at each other, Wilbur amused himself in the mud the edge of the brook, where it was warn and moist and delightfully sticky and oozy.

Every day was a happy day, and every night was peaceful.

Describing a Barn

The Barn was very large. It was very old. It smelled of hay and it smelled of manure. It smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath of patient cows. It often had a sort of peaceful smell-as though nothing bad could happen ever again in the world.