Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject matter, the audience, or the characters in a piece of writing. It is conveyed through the author's word choice, sentence structure, and other literary devices.
Here are some examples of tone:
* Serious: "The weight of the world pressed down on his shoulders."
* Humorous: "I'm not sure what's funnier, the fact that you think you can do this, or the fact that you actually tried."
* Sarcastic: "Oh, you're so smart, you must have been a straight-A student."
* Optimistic: "The future is bright, full of possibilities."
* Pessimistic: "The world is a dark and dangerous place."
Understanding the tone of a poem or piece of writing is crucial for interpreting the meaning and appreciating the author's message.