tone

Definition: Tone is how the author or speaker feels about what they're saying, which comes across in their words, like being serious, funny, or angry.

When you say 'I'm sorry' in a quiet, gentle voice, your tone shows you mean it.

How to teach this in 30 seconds

Try this analogy: Tone is like the feeling in your voice when you talk — the same words can sound happy, mad, or silly.

Ask your child: How would your voice sound if you saw a tiny, fluffy puppy?

Common mix-up: Kids might think tone is just about being loud or quiet. Tone is really about the feeling behind the words, like happy, sad, or excited.

Examples

Using a soft, gentle tone when talking about a sleeping baby.
A story about a birthday party might have a happy and excited tone.

tone is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.

+2 more mentions across the curriculum

← Back to the full glossary

The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗

Examples

Where this shows up

Related terms