What does "tone" refer to in writing?

In writing, "tone" refers to the author's attitude toward the subject or audience. This attitude can be conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and stylistic elements, influencing how the reader perceives the message being communicated. Tone can range from formal to informal, serious to playful, respectful to sarcastic, and many other shades of expression.

Understanding the tone is essential for interpreting the nuances of a text and recognizing the author's intent and emotional perspective. The tone can also set the mood of the piece, affecting how readers engage with the content and how they may respond to it emotionally. It's important to differentiate tone from other concepts such as thematic elements or grammatical constructs, as tone specifically encapsulates the author's viewpoint rather than the structure or overall message of the work.