In the context of informational text, "tone" refers to the author's attitude or perspective towards the subject matter and the audience. It is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and the overall style of writing. The tone can be formal, informal, serious, humorous, optimistic, critical, neutral, or any other emotional or intellectual quality.
For example:
- A formal tone might be used in academic articles or reports, characterized by technical vocabulary and a lack of personal opinions.
- An informal tone might feature simpler language and more conversational phrases, making the text more relatable to a general audience.
- A serious tone might be found in texts addressing important issues, conveying gravity and urgency.
- A humorous tone might employ wit or light-hearted commentary to engage readers while presenting information.
Understanding the tone of an informational text can help readers interpret the content more effectively and grasp the author's intent.