How to Write a Good Story - All Elements

Tone

Tone is essential in a narrative as it shows the narrator's reaction/attitude to a subject matter, let it be another character, idea, or an object.

Tone can be built by diction or word choice, non-verbal communication, voice tone, syntax or the grammatical structure and length of sentences and paragraphs that gives a specific effect, imagery or the words that use senses to put a picture in audience's mind, details and facts that are either omitted or pointed out, and figurative language.

Diction - firstly, word choice can be used to develop a specific historical period by using archaic words such as: fool, thou and thee. This is because 'archaic' words are no longer in modern use. They have been common in the past which makes them connote the past and create the setting and atmosphere of few centuries ago. Also, you can use words from a certain culture to build its setting in your story. For example, using biblical, Latin, Viking, or modern vocabulary.

Secondly, there are synonyms of a given word that some are positive, negative or neutral. For example, you can say overweight (neutral), fat (negative), or chubby (positive). Whichever you used, you used it for a purpose. If you use negative word, it can imply that the character or narrator does not like those kind of people or has a problem towards them or just uses this word as he hates that only one person. Positive words could mean that the person likes those kind of people or wants to sound kind. Negative are in between, someone who uses it might want to sound kind or it just doesn't bother him, he does not have an opinion.

Non-verbal communication - each gesture has a specific connotation. For example, a character gazes and smiles towards a game in his hand. This shows his attitude, which is happiness, towards the game. And it tells the audience (that he likes games) useful information about the character.

Voice tone - we all convey the tone with the tone of our voice. For example, when you ask a question such as, can I go outside? You can clearly hear the voice tone which is associated with giving a question. Another would be shouting, it can connote a tone of anger or importance.

Said is a neutral word, I would recommend to, most of the time, use a better substitute which conveys the correct tone.

Syntax - it is the grammatical structure and length of sentences and paragraphs. Each is made for a specific effect.

For example, using short sentences with many commas and full stops, can create the feeling of running away from someone. Excessively long sentences can create the tone of the character being bored.

There are many different orders of verb (v), subject (s), and object (o). English uses svo - he likes her, the other popular around the globe is sov - he her likes. Each is used by different countries and of course Shakespeare used sov many times. The use of sov could make a subject be old fashioned or build historical setting in your story (mainly Shakespearian era).

Imagery - it is made by great sensory description (taste, touch, hear, smell, and sight). The great amount of description makes the audience picture the word in the mind. It makes the audience more connected to the story, but also see the tone clearer. It all depends on how the narrator or subject describes/reacts to the subject matter.

Details - it depends on what you include, omit and the amount of detail you use. Including positive but omitting negative description will show the subject in a good light. Including both positive and negative description should be more realistic and neutral. Including negative but omitting positive description will show the subject in a bad way.

Much description can be used to show importance. It can also build an image of the character, item, or a setting, which builds a specific mood/atmosphere.

Figurative language - it is something that makes the writing appeal towards the senses. It can be: sound, comparison, exaggerative, and connotative devices. For example, symbolism, personification, metaphor, assonance, onomatopoeia, alliteration, simile, and hyperbole.

Comparison devices are used to compare a subject to a specific example. They are used to make the audience's imagery work better and to use a specific comparison to connote a point across about an object or character.

Sound devices make part of the writing sound in a particular way, or use a word that sounds as it is written. It can be rhyme, alliteration, assonance, sibilance, or onomatopoeia. They are used to appeal to audience's imagery as onomatopoeia makes the audience hear the realistic sound, thus makes the writing feel more realistic and engaging. Each sound has a particular connotation, this takes audience's attention, paints a picture, and creates an atmosphere.

Exaggerative devices exaggerates a certain idea to make it seem bigger or smaller that it actually is. It is mainly done by hyperbole. For example, I had to read your story a million times! This indicates that the subject really enjoyed the story, and read it many times but not truly a million times. It suggest that it is that good that it will never get boring.

Connotative devices are ones such as symbolism. Their purpose is to connote a hidden meaning of a word, what the word represents. For example, black represents death, and red roses represent love/romance. The function of connotative devices is to show the subject to the audience by symbolism of their property, behaviour, and clothing, without telling the audience directly. Also to describe the setting, and make the atmosphere, genre, and mood of the story.