What is the tone in a story?

The tone of a story is the emotional or literary atmosphere created by the writer. It is the feeling readers get from a piece of writing and is used to create a specific reading experience. Tone can be expressed through word choice, syntax, pacing, imagery, point of view, symbolism, and the writer's own voice. It serves to set the mood, engage the reader, and convey ideas without using direct statements. For example, a humorous story often employs sarcastic, ironic, or satirical language, while a sad story may utilize melancholic and introspective imagery. Authors manipulate tone to guide readers in perceiving particular themes and characters throughout the reading experience. Tone often reflects the emotional intention or central thesis of the work and plays a critical role in creating depth and engagement with the literary material.