45 Tone
Tone refers to the overall emotional attitude of the argument. We know intuitively what “tone of voice” means when we’re describing a conversation. If we hear a person speaking and ask ourselves the following questions, we will usually be able to describe the tone:
What emotions do the sound of the voice convey?
What expression do we see or imagine on the speaker’s face as they make the argument?
Photo by Loui G. from Pexels under the Pexels License.
When we read, we lack the visual and auditory clues, but we still intuitively sense the writer’s attitude. Tone comes across through emotional word choice and choice of examples, but also in other ways, both subtle and overt. These include sentence structure, use of questions, emphasis, and direct declarations of feeling. All of these contribute to an overall pattern.
For example, let’s look at the following lines, which make an argument about developing a solid border regulation policy:
I don’t have a clear vision yet of what the right border policy would be, and I admit that completely open borders would put our security at risk. But surely there are ways to regulate the border without criminalizing people who are driven by need and good intentions.
We might note that words like “driven by need” and “good intentions” evoke feelings of compassion and sympathy. In describing the tone, however, we could go further to talk about the writer’s purpose and attitude. Their admissions of uncertainty in the first sentence indicate an attitude of humility and openness, so we could describe the tone as “humble.” In the second sentence, the word “surely” suggests urgency and an appeal to common sense. The contrast between the orderly, neutral phrase “regulate the border” and the more aggressive-sounding “criminalizing people” suggests that one option is decent and the other cruel. The feelings of compassion and sympathy evoked by people’s “need” and “good intentions” reinforce the sense of urgency and appeal to decency. The combination of all of this suggests that the writer cares very much about the ethics of what they are discussing because innocent people’s wellbeing is at stake. We could describe the tone, then, as “earnest,” “urgent,” or “impassioned.”
How can we identify a writer’s tone? If we want to describe the tone of an argument, we can ask ourselves these general questions:
How does the writer feel about the topic of the argument?
How does the writer feel about their own knowledge of the topic?
What is the writer’s attitude toward the reader?
If we are not sure how to answer or we want more insight, we can consider specific aspects of the writer’s attitude, such as the degree of respect, seriousness, or certainty they feel. To describe the tone very precisely, we will need to use multiple words. We can ask ourselves about each of the aspects of tone listed in the table below and consider which of the accompanying tone words best describe the argument we are analyzing. Note that words clustered together are in most cases not synonyms. They convey shades of meaning, so they are worth looking up in an online dictionary to confirm their connotations before using them.
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Words to describe a writer’s tone |
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Aspect of the writer’s attitude |
Tone words |
Contrasting tone words |
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Degree of seriousness |
conversational, flippant, glib, childish, frivolous, facetious, humorous, sarcastic, comic, satiric, amused, ironic, mocking, irreverent, casual, lighthearted, playful, cheerful, ridiculous, giddy, dreamy |
vs. serious, earnest, solemn, grave, intense, impassioned, prayerful, reverent, idealistic |
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Degree of respect |
dismissive, patronizing, condescending, arrogant, haughty, chauvinistic, macho, domineering |
vs. humble, respectful, reverent, intimidated, obsequious, submissive, complimentary, flattering, simpering |
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Degree of formality |
irreverent, informal, coarse, vulgar, casual, conversational, improvisational, exploratory |
vs. formal, businesslike, professional, professorial, esoteric, clinical |
|
Degree of self-regard |
condescending, arrogant, patronizing, proud, majestic, haughty, obnoxious |
vs. modest, humble, self-effacing, self-deprecating, down-to-earth |
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Degree of goodwill toward others |
benevolent, kind, loving, affectionate, amiable, genial, agreeable, friendly, jovial, encouraging, warm |
vs. mean-spirited, mean, malicious, spiteful, cruel, hateful, hating, vengeful |
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Degree of anxiety |
agitated, excited, sensational, alarmed, nervous, anxious, obsessive, worried, fearful, frightened, paranoid, frantic, frazzled, desperate, dramatic, disturbed, perturbed |
vs. calm, tranquil, serene, unworried, contemplative, meditative, reflective, thoughtful |
|
Degree of hesitation |
cautious, hesitating, reticent, evasive |
vs. bold, audacious, straightforward, direct, outspoken, authoritative |
|
Degree of certainty |
conflicted, uncertain, reluctant, contradictory, confused, baffled, ambivalent, uneasy, apologetic, regretful, pensive |
vs. confident, sure, definite, unapologetic, righteous, self-righteous, determined, persuasive, hypnotic |
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Degree of interest in the topic |
wondering, curious, inquisitive, fascinated |
vs. bored, apathetic, removed, indifferent, wooden, world-weary, dull, bland, banal, blasé |
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Degree of surprise |
unbelieving, incredulous, surprised, innocent, naive, disbelieving |
vs. knowing, jaded, nonplussed, weary |
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Degree of distance |
intimate, impassioned, passionate, ardent, personal |
vs. formal, impersonal, objective, neutral, journalistic, informative, professional, businesslike, intellectual, detached, numb, distant, disinterested |
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Degree of openness |
open, direct, forthright, candid |
vs. secretive, sneaky, cagey, sly |
|
Degree of approval |
elated, enthusiastic, ecstatic, celebratory, euphoric, joyous, jubilant, zestful, exuberant, blissful, happy, delighted, awestruck, appreciative, approving |
vs. disapproving, disappointed, concerned, alarmed, critical, caustic, appalled |
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Degree of warmth toward the audience |
warm, cordial, friendly, flirtatious, seductive |
vs. cold, forbidding, aloof, impersonal |
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Degree of connection to suffering |
concerned, compassionate, tender, consoling, comforting, sympathetic, empathetic |
vs. apathetic, indifferent, detached, aloof, callous |
|
Desire to communicate |
talkative, eager |
vs. laconic, taciturn, reluctant |
|
Pace |
abrupt, hurried, hasty |
vs. patient, gradual, unhurried, lethargic, languid, pensive, scrupulous |
|
Attitude to the future |
despairing, tragic, defeated, discouraged, resigned, overwhelmed, disheartened, dismal, foreboding, dejected, depressed, bitter, bleak, bewildered, pessimistic, distressed, cynical, pathetic, melancholy, nostalgic, saddened, miserable, morbid, morose, mournful, sorrowful, somber, lamenting, grave, grim |
vs. hopeful, sanguine, optimistic, content, excited, enthusiastic |
|
Attitude to another’s success |
envious, jealous |
vs. admiring, congratulatory, celebratory, enthusiastic |
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Attitude to another’s failing |
critical, annoyed, angry, frustrated, impatient, disappointed, resentful, hurt, aggravated, outraged, appalled, indignant, disgusted, impotent, vindictive, vengeful, furious |
vs. forgiving, indulgent, understanding, accepting, tolerant |
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Attitude to one’s own failing |
apologetic, remorseful, repentant, disgusted, self-critical |
vs. defensive, self-indulgent, complacent |
|
Attitude to powerful forces like spirit, country, religion |
patriotic, pious, religious, reverent, mystical, spiritual, obedient |
vs. irreverent, scoffing, impious, skeptical |
| Aspect of the writer's attitude | Tone words | Contrasting tone words |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of seriousness | conversational, flippant, glib, childish, frivolous, facetious, humorous, sarcastic, comic, satiric, amused, ironic, mocking, irreverent, casual, lighthearted, playful, cheerful, ridiculous, giddy, dreamy | vs. serious, earnest, solemn, grave, intense, impassioned, prayerful, reverent, idealistic |
| Degree of respect | dismissive, patronizing, condescending, arrogant, haughty, chauvinistic, macho, domineering | vs. humble, respectful, reverent, intimidated, obsequious, submissive, complimentary, flattering, simpering |
| Degree of formality | irreverent, informal, coarse, vulgar, casual, conversational, improvisational, exploratory | vs. formal, businesslike, professional, professorial, esoteric, clinical |
| Degree of self-regard | condescending, arrogant, patronizing, proud, majestic, haughty, obnoxious | vs. modest, humble, self-effacing, self-deprecating, down-to-earth |
| Degree of goodwill toward others | benevolent, kind, loving, affectionate, amiable, genial, agreeable, friendly, jovial, encouraging, warm | vs. mean-spirited, mean, malicious, spiteful, cruel, hateful, hating, vengeful |
| Degree of anxiety | agitated, excited, sensational, alarmed, nervous, anxious, obsessive, worried, fearful, frightened, paranoid, frantic, frazzled, desperate, dramatic, disturbed, perturbed | vs. calm, tranquil, serene, unworried, contemplative, meditative, reflective, thoughtful |
| Degree of hesitation | cautious, hesitating, reticent, evasive | vs. bold, audacious, straightforward, direct, outspoken, authoritative |
| Degree of certainty | conflicted, uncertain, reluctant, contradictory, confused, baffled, ambivalent, uneasy, apologetic, regretful, pensive | vs. confident, sure, definite, unapologetic, righteous, self-righteous, determined, persuasive, hypnotic |
| Degree of interest in the topic | wondering, curious, inquisitive, fascinated | vs. bored, apathetic, removed, indifferent, wooden, world-weary, dull, bland, banal, blasé |
| Degree of surprise | unbelieving, incredulous, surprised, innocent, naive, disbelieving | vs. knowing, jaded, nonplussed, weary |
| Degree of distance | intimate, impassioned, passionate, ardent, personal | vs. formal, impersonal, objective, neutral, journalistic, informative, professional, businesslike, intellectual, detached, numb, distant, disinterested |
| Degree of openness | open, direct, forthright, candid | vs. secretive, sneaky, cagey, sly |
| Degree of approval | elated, enthusiastic, ecstatic, celebratory, euphoric, joyous, jubilant, zestful, exuberant, blissful, happy, delighted, awestruck, appreciative, approving | vs. disapproving, disappointed, concerned, alarmed, critical, caustic, appalled |
| Degree of warmth toward the audience | warm, cordial, friendly, flirtatious, seductive | vs. cold, forbidding, aloof, impersonal |
| Degree of connection to suffering | concerned, compassionate, tender, consoling, comforting, sympathetic, empathetic | vs. apathetic, indifferent, detached, aloof, callous |
| Desire to communicate | talkative, eager | vs. laconic, taciturn, reluctant |
| Pace | abrupt, hurried, hasty | vs. patient, gradual, unhurried, lethargic, languid, pensive, scrupulous |
| Attitude to the future | despairing, tragic, defeated, discouraged, resigned, overwhelmed, disheartened, dismal, foreboding, dejected, depressed, bitter, bleak, bewildered, pessimistic, distressed, cynical, pathetic, melancholy, nostalgic, saddened, miserable, morbid, morose, mournful, sorrowful, somber, lamenting, grave, grim | vs. hopeful, sanguine, optimistic, content, excited, enthusiastic |
| Attitude to another's success | envious, jealous | vs. admiring, congratulatory, celebratory, enthusiastic |
| Attitude to another's failing | critical, annoyed, angry, frustrated, impatient, disappointed, resentful, hurt, aggravated, outraged, appalled, indignant, disgusted, impotent, vindictive, vengeful, furious | vs. forgiving, indulgent, understanding, accepting, tolerant |
| Attitude to one's own failing | apologetic, remorseful, repentant, disgusted, self-critical | vs. defensive, self-indulgent, complacent |
| Attitude to powerful forces like spirit, country, religion | patriotic, pious, religious, reverent, mystical, spiritual, obedient | vs. irreverent, scoffing, impious, skeptical |
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