Writing Tips & Prompts

Describing A Character's Tone/Voice

Absurd - wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate

Admiring - approving; think highly of; respectful; praising

Aggressive - hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative

Amused - pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner

Angry - incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing

Anxious - typically with a feeling of unease

Apathetic - showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional

Apologetic - full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure

Arrogant - pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing

Assertive - self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent

Authoritative - commanding and self-confident

Barking - utter a command or question abruptly or aggressively

Bitter - angry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful; nasty

Bleak - without hope or encouragement; depressing; dreary

Booming - loud, deep, and resonant

Bored - to tire or make weary by being dull, repetitious, or uninteresting

Breathy - producing or causing an audible sound of breathing, often related to physical exertion or strong feelings

Brittle - lacking warmth, sensitivity, or compassion; aloof

Bubbly - full of cheerful high spirits

Callous - cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless

Cautionary - gives warning; raises awareness; reminding
Chatty - informal; lively; conversational; familiar

Cheery - happy and optimistic

Childish - silly and immature

Chirping - say something in a lively and cheerful way

Coarse - rude, crude, or vulgar

Compassionate - sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind

Concerned - worried; anxious; apprehensive

Confused - unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague

Crisp - briskly decisive and matter-of-fact, without hesitation or unnecessary detail

Cruel - causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe

Curious - wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning

Cynical - scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering

Defensive - defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful

Demeaning - disrespectful; undignified

Depressing - sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic

Detached - aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant

Disapproving - displeased; critical; condemnatory

Disheartening - discouraging; demoralising; undermining; depressing

Direct - straightforward; honest

Disappointed - discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong

Dispassionate - impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic

Dispirited - having lost enthusiasm and hope; disheartened