|
| In fiction, what, exactly, is tone? |
It’s probably true that one becomes aware of the tone
of a story mainly when it’s mishandled: that is, when
the tone is uneven, heavy-handed, or contradictory.
In simple terms, a story can take on a tone of irony or grimness
or playfulness, often by giving the principle character a personality
that supports the tone of choice. It’s then up to the
author to control the tone for consistency or to modulate it
according to the circumstances of the story.
EXAMPLES:
NEUTRAL TONE
“Would you
like ketchup?” the clerk said, handing her the McDonald’s
bags one by one through the take-out window.
The kids started chanting, “French fries, French fries,
French fries,” from the back of the van.
“No
thank you,” she said. “I don’t think we need
any.”
SARCASTIC TONE
“Would you like ketchup?” the clerk said, handing
her the McDonald’s bags one by one through the take-out
window.
The kids started chanting, “French fries, French fries,
French fries,” from the back of the van.
“Are
you kidding?” she said.
IRONIC
TONE:
“Would you like ketchup?” the clerk
said, handing her the McDonald’s bags one by one through
the take-out window.
The kids started chanting, “French fries, French fries,
French fries,” from the back of the van.
“Thanks,”
she said, “but I think we’ll try and live without
it today.”
EXERCISE: Three friends (males and/or females, your choice)
meet every Sunday morning at the local bagel place. Their conversation
always turns to their dates of the night before. For at least
two of the friends, adopt an initial tone for that aspect of
the conversation…humor, irony, pessimism, optimism…remembering
that people don’t necessarily maintain the same tone throughout
a conversation. |
