Writing tone

Once you’ve worked out who your intended audience is, you need to pick an appropriate tone to write in. There are many tones that you can use, and sometimes there is more than one appropriate tone for a situation. Writing tone can be broadly split into two categories:

Each of these categories has a whole heap of tones you can use. For instance, humourous writing is usually classed as an informal tone. Here are the two main categories of tone and some of the subcategories of tones you can use:

These classifications aren’t hard and fast, however, for instance, a ‘flowery and elaborate’ tone can sometimes be used in informal writing, perhaps in a sarcastic tribute to someone who is actually a bit of a loser and a thug:

Jason is truly a beautiful butterfly emerging from his chrysalis as a well-rounded young man with an engaging personality.

Click here to move on to the next topic: Levels of formality