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Style
Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Key Examples in There There
Part II: Interlude
Explanation and Analysis:
Because There There contains many different stories told in many different ways, it also contains many different tones throughout. First, consider the tone in the two analytical essays in the book, the Prologue and the Interlude. These essays have a tone close to a formal speech: rhetorical, impassioned, and rhythmically musical. They are historically researched, but still lyrical and emotional. Here is an example from the section of the Interlude on "Blood," which discusses "blood quantum" policies used to determine if one has close enough relations to join a tribe:
Blood is messy when it comes out. Inside it runs clean and looks blue in tubes that line our bodies, that split and branch like earth’s river systems. Blood is ninety percent water. And like water it must move. Blood must flow, never stray or split or clot or divide—lose any essential amount of itself while it distributes evenly through our bodies. But blood is messy when it comes out. It dries, divides, and cracks in the air.
Related Themes:
