Tone

Tone is the attitude a writer's language conveys towards the subject, the reader, or a situation. It might be affectionate, ironic, urgent, detached, bitter or playful. It is created by word choice, sentence shape and imagery working together.

Recognising tone is central to reading comprehension. The same information can sound warm or cold, and the tone changes its meaning.

Reading questions frequently ask how a writer creates a particular tone, or how tone shifts across a passage. In writing tasks, controlling tone to suit the audience and purpose is a key marker of a strong response.

A narrator who calls a grand ceremony 'the usual parade of self-important speeches' reveals a dry, sceptical tone.

Track the words that carry attitude, not just information. Ask whether the tone stays constant or shifts, and where; a shift is often the point of the question. In your own writing, decide the tone before you start and hold it steady.

A wobble from serious to flippant, or formal to chatty, tells a reader you have lost control of the piece.

You may also find Writing an ESL email and Approaching an ESL form or note task useful. Next, visit our skills guides for IGCSE English to see terms like this used in real answers. Our IGCSE English tuition page explains how lessons run. When you are ready, the paid one-hour trial is the first step.