TONE & STYLE

IN
WRITING
Definition of Tone
Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.
Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a
particular subject.

Every written piece comprises a central theme or subject matter. The manner in which a
writer approaches this theme and subject is the tone. The tone can be formal, informal,
serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful or it may be any other existing attitudes.

Definition of Style
The style in writing can be defined as the way a writer writes and it is the technique which
an individual author uses in his writing. It varies from author to author and depends upon
one's syntax, word choice, and tone. It can also be described as a voice that readers listen to
when they read the work of a writer.

Types of Style
There are four basic literary styles used in writing. These styles distinguish the work of
different authors from one another. Here are four styles of writing:

Expository or Argumentative style

Expository writing style is a subject-oriented style. The focus of the writer in this type of
writing style is to tell the readers about a specific subject or topic and in the end the author
leaves out his own opinion about that topic. As the name suggests, it involves magnifying of
a small topic and an in-depth analysis of the same. Amplification of points regarding the
central topic is the key to identifying such a style. It involves reasons, logic and a proper
conclusion.

Descriptive style
This merely involves a detailed description of all things, materialistic as well as non-
materialistic. In descriptive writing style, the author focuses on describing an event, a
character or a place in detail. Sometimes, descriptive writing style is poetic in nature in,

1 English By Satyendra Tiwari Sir

 where the author specifies an event, an object or a thing rather than merely giving information
about an event that has happened. Usually the description incorporates sensory details.

Persuasive style
Persuasive style of writing is a category of writing in which the writer tries to give reasons
and justification to make the readers believe his point of view . The persuasive style aims to
persuade and convince the readers.

Narrative style
Narrative writing style is a type of writing where the writer narrates a story to. It includes
short stories, novels, novellas, biographies and poetry. Such a style is associated with content
flowing in a sequential order. It is usually written in the first person and is a personal
account of an individual. It may or may not bring out a theme or central idea.

How do we reach at the final answer for tone?

1. Identify the nature of the passage (facts or opinion), and eliminate the options that do not
match with your analysis.
2. Identify the passage sentiment and again eliminate options that do not match with your
analysis.
3. Identify the main idea of the passage, and co-relate it with the tone of the passage (there
should be synergy between the two).
4. Keep 3 and 4 in mind while marking your answer.
5. Also, you should try to label the tone of the passage in your own words, and see which one
co-relates with the author of the passage.
6. Eliminate options. Do not select an answer, always eliminate options and be sure why you
are rejecting a particular option.

LIST OF TONES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Acerbic: Now most people think that seething, searing anger is what comes out of acerbic
tones. Not necessarily; a closer look at the examples would tell the reader that some of the
wittiest statements arise from acerbic tones.

EXAMPLE: It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt you to the heart: one
to slander you and the other to get the news to you. -Mark Twain

2. Angry/Indignant: While author's anger could have been aroused because of a variety of
reasons, an author's indignation is instigated because of unfairness exhibited by a person, a
group of people, a government or all the above.

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 Examples: There was a scene in a super market when a couple in Florida was billed ahead of
others because of their "white privilege". (indignation)

The callous indifference of the authorities when a complaint of sexual harassment was filed
in by one of the students caused an angry uproar amongst the students demanding the
ousting of the teacher who was guilty. (Anger)

3. Apologetic: Feeling guilty and remorseful about what was being done to a person or a group
of people

Examples: Jack said, 'I know I am a white guy and that my ancestors have committed genocide
when they ordered the hit on Red Indians.

4. Belligerent/Bellicose: Aggressively hostile; bellicose

Examples: Malcolm X said, 'A white man cannot just stand there and watch a black guy take his
position thought it was through the latter's sweat and hard work. Their shallow feeling of
superiority is disgusting to say the least.'

5. Biased: Favouring one thing/person/group over another for personal reasons.

Examples: 'Indians are the best when it comes to computers, if you are looking for good quality
labour at competitive cost for your IT company, you should probably hire them'

6. Caustic: Refer to Acerbic

7. Commiserating: Feeling/ expressing sorrow for; empathizing with; pity

Examples: 'It would have been a really bad time for women; imagine being forced into immolating
yourself after the death of your husband: the physical pain alone would have been intolerable.'
Claimed Mrs. Chaturvedi.

8. Condescending: Showing/implying patronising descent from dignity/ superiority Examples:

'Of Course, laymen like you wouldn't appreciate a Van Gogh painting as it should be.'
9. Contemptuous: Expressing contempt/ disdain

Examples: The guy's narrow minded mother slapped him for bringing food cooked by a person of
"low caste" and threw a disgusting look at the cook. The son felt an emotion that he had
never felt for his mother before: contempt!

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 10. Cynical: displaying a belief that people are always self-seeking and never altruistic in their
actions

Examples: The Vice President could not suppress his snigger when the PR head started talking
about the CSR Activities in front of the investors. He did not know that the Director himself
proctored the project with his personal investments without anyone knowing.

11. Derisive: Refer to Contempt

12. Disparaging: Speak slightingly; depreciating; belittling

Examples: Amish said the IAS Exam was for losers who were going to become slaves to corrupt
politicians.

13. Dogmatic: Asserting opinions in an arrogant manner; imperious; dictatorial

Examples: Voldemort totally believed that muggles (people who were not related to magic)
should never be admitted into Hogwarts in order to maintain the purity of blood in the
School.

14. Emotional: Easily affected by feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear and the like

Examples: 'The look in his eyes meant I have to spend the rest of my life looking over my
shoulder! I'm not doing it!' said the witness before turning hostile.

15. Ethical: Dealing with principles of morality; honest; righteous

Examples: Movies like 'Wolf of Wall Street' glorify men who were ruthlessly behind making
money create a bad influence on the society's youngsters.

16. Euphemistic: Substitution of mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive,
harsh or blunt

Example: He told her that blue would be better as it brought out the colour in her eyes and
talked her out of wearing the gaudy pink gown, which was an eye sore.

17. Grandiose: More complicated/ elaborated than necessary; pompous

Examples: Asakti dreamt of improving the world's sense of fashion by dressing up her Barbie
dolls.
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 18. Humanistic: Evincing keen interest in human affairs, nature, welfare, values

Examples: Many still reel in disbelief that the go ahead was given by the leaders to nuke a
country.

19. Humorous: Funny and amusing

Examples: It now makes complete sense: Drumpf (ref. John Oliver's 'Last Week Tonight') is his
surname! Even he knew that Trump was too cool a name for someone with such ridiculous
hair!

20. Introspective: Consider one's own internal state of feelings

Examples: I couldn't believe that i stooped so low to be racist on that day. I have regretted that
incident ever since!

21. Incendiary: Causing strong feelings

Examples: Mark Anthony's famous speech at the funeral of Julius Caesar

'…For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.'

22. Laudatory: Praising; extolling; applauding

Examples: The government has indeed done a favour to everybody constructing the Delhi Metro
and saving time every single day.

23. Motivating: Impelling; inciting Obsequious Fawning; showing servile complaisance; flattering;
deferent
Examples: 'We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside
ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better'-J.K. Rowling
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 24. Pedestrian: Lacking vitality, imagination, distinction

Examples: Ms. Khanna was not amused when her boyfriend answered 'like a pretty flower'
when asked how she looked.

25. Populist: Egalitarian; pertaining to the characteristics of common people/ working class

Examples: 'I know how you feel about having to walk half a mile to catch your shuttle Mr. Kohli
but you should understand that if you don't, the rest of the team will have to cover 5 miles
from remote corners of the city to heed to your request.'

26. Provocative: Inciting; stimulating; irritating; vexing

Examples: 'All you Indians must learn not to be filthy and then think of joining a bistro' sniggered
the chef of the American bistro.

27. Romantic: Fanciful; impractical; unrealistic; extravagant; exaggerated Examples: 'You want
the moon? I can get you the moon!' Bruce Nolan told Grace.
28. Sarcastic: Harsh, bitter derision; taunting; sneering; cutting remarks

Examples: 'Of course, it was very broadminded of you to drop in with the sole intention of getting
my pension money' Elle remarked to her daughter.

29. Satirical: Ironic; taunting; human folly held up to scorn/ derision/ ridicule

Examples: (Borrowed from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce) Lawyer: One skilled in
circumvention of the law

30. Speculative: Theoretical rather than practical; thoughtful; reflective; hypothetical

Examples: It is suspected that Batman was actually a patient of Arkham his adventures are an
effect of his delusions.

It is widely believed that Osama bin Laden is alive and well in the hands of the NSA, used as
an instrument for US welfare.

31. Technical: Using terminology or treating subject matter in a manner peculiar to a particular
field, as a writer or a book

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 Examples: What one doesn't understand is that claustrophobia is only more pronounced when a
patient is stressed out and the homeopathic philosophy of 'like cures like' may not be a great
idea.

32. Vitriolic: Full of anger and hatred

Examples: Rapists and sexual predators in general must be chemically castrated, spat upon and
then when they feel the disgust of the entire world upon them, shot down like rabid animals
and made an example to the rest of the world.

33. Vituperative: Cruel and angry criticism

Examples: Of course, had it been a white guy stealing food from a store he might have been let
go. There are only wolves and sheep in this world and the average white guy does not seem
like the sheep.

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 FIGURE OUT THE TONE OF THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES

1) When I say that priesthood is an evil in religion, I do not mean that priests are evil. There is
a mistaken notion even among those who should know better that an institution that is evil
is evil because the persons involved in it are evil. Mediation between God and man itself
cannot be safely entrusted to humans. This is my contention and it has time and again been
proved in the course of history, not only to the detriment of the common people, but also to
that of the priests, who, having no option open, may misuse their sacred office.
The tone in the passage is:
a) Judgmental
b) Regret
c) Defensive
d) Critical
e) Sarcastic
2) It is often said that God made man in his image; it is also true that man makes God in his
own image. Both may be right; and you are perfectly right in thinking of your God as a super
tiger. Also it may be true. What we must not forget is that He reveals himself in a mighty
terrifying form which pervades the whole universe in every form of life and action. Remember
also He is within every one of us and we derive our strength from Him.
a) Didactic
b) Condescending
c) Argumentative
d) Humorous
e) Glorifying
3) Some medical beast had revived tar-water in those days as a fine medicine, and Mrs. Joe
always kept a supply of it in the cupboard; having a belief in its virtues correspondent to its
nastiness. At the best of times, so much of this elixir was administered to me as a choice
restorative that I was conscious of going about, smelling like a new fence.
a) Commiserating
b) Ironical
c) Sarcastic
d) Humorous
e) Derogatory
4) I think the time has come to clear up what I think is a deep-rooted misunderstanding about
cows on the streets of Kakinada. That the cow is a holy animal cannot be denied. But being
an animal, and a domestic one at that, it must be given its due shelter. But where? Not in
our houses, certainly. The streets are therefore ideal places. Motorists and other aggrieved
parties can surely make adjustments in their driving in consideration to the Gokula. The

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 accidents must be endured: the world belongs to the cows too. It is the least we can do for
the long-suffering cows of Kakinada. If anyone wants a free supply of cow-dung, he has only
to step onto the streets. Such a liberal supply of that precious material is to be found in our
great city because our bovine denizens are considerate enough not only to grace our streets
but also to bestow their benedictions.
A) Sarcastic
B) Ironical
C) Laudatory
D) Critical
E) Plaintive
5) It is an established principle of criminal jurisprudence that in the absence of specific
countervailing factors, there is a general presumption in favour of bail. This rule is a natural
extension of the very foundation of the modern legal system, which proceeds on the assumption
that all persons are innocent until proven guilty. The enormous public anger against the
scale of corruption and fraud, and the brazenness of the conspiracy, involved in the 2G
spectrum scandal is understandable and must be commended. But the 'grave magnitude' of
the case should not be allowed to detract from the basic legal principles underlying the
grant of bail. But this is what seems to have happened in the CBI special court's denial of
bail to DMK MP Ms Kanimozhi and seven others in the 2G case. Given that charges have
been framed and the case will go to trial in a few days, why should they remain in jail? The
contention that they could tamper with evidence is unpersuasive - the gap between the time
the 2G licences were issued and the probe was initiated would have given all accused
enough time to destroy or conceal whatever they wanted to. The court maintained that the
accused, being influential, could influence the witnesses and prejudice the trial. But the
obvious answer would be to place certain restrictions on their movement and activity. The
unstated implication of bail denial is that the accused should be in jail until the trial is over
- a position that is extreme. The court also ignored the fact that some of the usual grounds
for refusing bail - such as the possibility of the accused fleeing from justice or repeating a
similar offence - do not apply here.
The author's tone towards bail in this paragraph is
a) Analytical
b) Critical
c) Sarcastic
d) Impetuous
e) Optimistic

9 English By Satyendra Tiwari Sir