Today, we're going to talk about something super cool – ‘tone’ in creative writing! But don't worry, it's not as tricky as it sounds. It’s something we use every day without even realising it!
Don’t you say things in different ways to different people depending on how you feel? When you're super excited about something, your voice goes all bubbly and enthusiastic, right? That's a kind of tone! It's the mood or feeling behind your words. It's like a secret weapon that will make not just your speech but also your writing—letters, stories or even arguments—even more, fun and engaging!
Now, we know fairly well that when we talk to our best friends or grandparents, we have to use informal words or expressions, and formal expressions when we write any argumentative/persuasive essay. But how do you use tone to your advantage when you have to write an informal letter but have to be persuasive with facts at the same time? Well, it's all about the words we choose and how we arrange them.
Let’s check an example where we need to write a letter to our grandparents, trying to persuade them that TV is not entirely bad.
The following statements each express different attitudes about one point revolving around the TV with six different tones: optimistic, bitter, tolerant, sentimental, humorous and objective.
1. The TV may rerun different programmes, but some shows evoke a sense of nostalgia and transport us back to a time filled with laughter, tears and unforgettable moments. Thus, they tend to latch on to our innermost feelings.
The tone is sentimental—'to latch on to innermost feelings,’ expresses tender emotions.
2. While the TV often airs various reruns, certain shows have a remarkable ability to evoke nostalgia. Thereby, they create a sort of connection with our good old times and that is not entirely a bad thing.
The tone is tolerant. The words ‘not entirely a bad thing’ show that the writer accepts that TV programmes may have their flaws, but it isn’t entirely damaging.
3. Although there are some really good educational programmes on TV, sometimes the programme coordinators just love to recycle all sorts of shows that insist on dragging us back to the past, flooding us with nostalgia and memories that we’d rather bury. But you know what? As much as it might frustrate me, it has this sneaky way of latching onto my innermost feelings.
The tone is bitter. The writer feels aggrieved by a situation that forces him or her to relive his or her old memories.
4. Though repeat telecasts can be a waste of time, those shows have an incredible power to awaken nostalgia within us. Only if they merged the charm of the past with fresh perspectives and new content, could they become a delightful source of entertainment for both old and new audiences alike. I’m sure that it will happen.
The tone is optimistic. The writer is expecting the contents to be improved.
5. Television often broadcasts a variety of programmes, including repeat telecasts. It helps to escape reality once in a while and for that, anything will do.
The tone is objective. The writer does not express feelings about the shows. He simply states facts.
6. I know that we don’t need time machines as we have got many repeat telecasts to take us to the past. But hey, even though we might roll our eyes at the reruns that mess with our emotions, deep down, we know they've got a special place in our hearts.
The tone is humorous. The writer uses humour to agree to an argument and to counterargue as well.
Did you note how different vocabulary is used and how phrases are arranged depending on the tone? This is what makes any writing alive! It's like a secret ingredient that makes your writing magical. And guess what? You get to choose the tone!
So, next time you weave a fantastic tale, make a profound argument or jot down an informal letter, think about the tone you want to share with your readers. Have fun experimenting with different tones and see how they change the feel of your writing. Remember, writing is all about expressing your imagination, and using different tones is like adding a touch of your fantastic personality to every word you put on paper!