What is the purpose of examining tone when comparing passages?

• A. Tone helps interpret perspective and intention.
• B. Tone does not matter.
• C. Tone is only about humor.
• D. Tone determines font style.

Answer: (A)

Understanding tone reveals how authors express their attitudes toward the subject and what they intend to achieve. When you compare passages, tone helps you infer each writer’s perspective and purpose, because the choice of words, level of formality, and how ideas are framed signal the stance they want readers to take. Noting tone lets you see why an author highlights certain details, employs particular strategies, or shapes the reader’s response. Shifts in tone across passages show how writers position readers and influence credibility, urgency, or empathy. Tone isn’t limited to humor; it can be serious, ironic, celebratory, critical, or sardonic, among others, and it has nothing to do with font style.