What is the difference between style and tone in a story?

Question

It'd be really helpful if someone could explain each of these and explain how they are different

Answer 1

Style refers to the writer's craft. Do the words tend to the vernacular, or is the grammar precise and dry? If the work is a novel, is it heavy on dialogue or expository?

Tone has more to do with the plot and the reader's response. Does the writing feel heavy or slow? Is it exciting?

Answer 2

Tone is generally the author's attitude towards her subject. She might be full of admiration or skeptical; a story can have a gloomy tone or heroic. Of course, there are many other possibilities, but tone suggests the author's treatment of or attitude towards a topic.

Style is really all of the writerly tools available to a writer. It may include word choice and usage or heavy use of figurative language or straight forward diction. Hemingway was noted for his blunt, terse style (short sentences, very descriptive, without heavy use of flowery description). Jane Austen, on the other hand, can go off on these beautiful, full sentences, that seem as though they are wandering, but which always go back to the point. Some writers write with heavy irony, humor, or a casual style.

Perhaps you can see how two authors might use different styles to strike the same tone, or how two other authors might use the same style, but to create different tones (or moods). For example, long, flowery stylings might be used to set up a romantic tone (Austen) or one filled with dread (Poe). Or a critical, skeptical tone can be achieved through blunt, direct sentences (many political writings) or through a humorous, ironic style (Vonnegut).

Answer 3

Style in a story is how you write it. For example Jane Austen had her own particular style. Its a personal thing usually. Allowing your feeling and emotion to be shown through the way a writer conveys their meaning and arranges their words. Its a good idea for a less experienced writer to try and imitate a successful style before attempting to develop their own.

Tone is the general feeling conveyed by a piece of writing. It can be light and happy for example if you've read the Harry Potter series the tone significantly changes from light and playful to darker in the later books. Its the whole feel that is conveyed by the writing. Tone is vital in everything you write because it lets the reader know how they should be feeling.

Answer 4

Style is the genre or method of telling the story. Tone is mood.