Originally Posted by
AuntShecky
That's why it's important to use well-chosen, highly specific words designed to convey tone. For instance, let's use one hypothetical line: "Nigel, you're completely wrong."
Now let's come up with some variations of the same line expressing tone:
A.
"I understand the point you're trying to make, Nigel, but, sorry to say, I believe you're mistaken."
B.
"Nigel, that's total crap."
As far as body language, the writer could accompany the line with a gesture.
A.
Holding my palms up, I said, "I understand the point you"re trying to make, Nigel, but sorry to say, I believe you are mistaken."
B.
I raised my fists and yelled, "Nigel, that's total crap."
One thing you shouldn't do is resort to adverbs, similiar to the kind we used to call "Tom Swifties":
"I understand the point you"re trying to make, Nigel, but sorry to say, I believe you are mistaken," I said gently.
"Nigel, that's total crap," I said angrily.
