In literature, the author's style and treatment of the subject reflect his/her attitude about the subject as well as an attitude towards the audience.

Components of tone:

• Understatement:  casual or light treatment of the subject, it has two effects:

shows that the author does not take a subject seriously.

calls upon the moral indignation of the reader because the subject does not seem to be taken seriously.

• Irony:  a discrepancy between what is stated and what is suggested; saying one thing and meaning another.

• Hyperbole:  the opposite of understatement; exaggeration used for rhetorical effect: may be dramatic heightening.

• The middle style:  style used by most authors, lying between understatement and hyperbole; presents an accurate picture of things as they are.

Failures in tone

• Sentimentality:  author attempts to impose upon the material a greater emotional burden than it can comfortably bear.

• Inhibition:  author's failure to give due emotional weight to his material.