How to Identify Tone in Writing

Khan Academy

This engaging educational video explores the literary concept of "tone" in writing, defining it as the author's attitude toward their subject. The narrator, David, distinguishes tone from related concepts like "register" and "authorial voice," using humorous analogies like wearing a tuxedo to the beach to illustrate appropriateness in communication. The video emphasizes how readers can determine tone by closely analyzing specific word choices and their connotations. The content breaks down a complex text analysis into manageable steps using a relatable example comparing Chicago hot dogs, New York hot dogs, and the D.C. "half-smoke." By dissecting phrases like "oceans of ink" and "holier-than-thou," the narrator demonstrates how hyperbole and emotionally charged adjectives reveal the author's feelings. The video also clarifies the often-confused distinction between an author's consistent "voice" (style) and their changing "tone" (attitude specific to a topic). Ideally suited for middle and high school English Language Arts classrooms, this video provides a practical framework for reading informational texts critically. Teachers can use it to introduce units on rhetorical analysis, persuasive writing, or media literacy. It offers a clear model for how to move beyond surface-level reading to understand the subtle biases and opinions embedded in text through vocabulary selection.