We’ve all heard it said that what we say matters, that what we share with others is important, and dare I say it, makes a difference. And I imagine that most of us would agree with that perception.
Yet, there is more to it. It’s not just what we say, but also how we say it—the feeling that we apply to what we convey. And that’s tone.
We employ tone in our writing for a number of reasons: to invoke a specific feeling or sensation in our readers, to aid in our readers’ understanding of the information we relay, and to gain and keep our readers’ attention for the duration of time that it takes for them to read what we’ve written.
Whether we employ a whimsical tone to tap into someone’s imagination, a comedic tone to heighten a sense of joy and lightheartedness, an instructional tone to convey a sense of authority and believability, or a persuasive tone to assertively encourage a particular course of action, tone adds a much-needed bit of polishing to the body and depth of our words.
Why does tone matter? It matters because without it our words are nothing more than flat symbols on a piece of paper or a screen. Sure, we’ll still share information, and it might even be presented in a way that is interesting enough to foster an initial connection. But without tone that connection isn’t likely to grow and the engagement level with your work is likely to falter.
So, the next time you lay pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, remember to select a tone that compliments your words and is aligned with what you want your work to accomplish. After all, what you say is still an extension of you as an author, so use tone to allow your readers get to know you better and experience something sensational at the same time. Be blessed. #sanguinemango
Sanguine Mango 