Some people are much better than others in persuading somebody to see their point of view. They know that it is not just what you say which is important, but the way you say it. Your tone of voice is as important as the words that you use.
It often seems hard enough to try to improve your vocabulary and grammar, without worrying about the tone of your voice and your pace. However, if you pay attention to your tone, your performance in role plays and other oral work will sound more convincing. You will also be able to write better dialogue in stories - and you will get your way more often in life.
Clever use of tone helps children to get what they want from their parents. When they are 'pleading' for something, their voice takes on a softer tone and the vowels become more drawn out and longer: 'Daaad, can I have an ice-cream, pleeease?' Some parents hate whining and the child will unlikely get what he wants.
Some children can be insistent in their tone. This means repeating their demands and showing no signs of giving in. 'I want an ice-cream.' 'No.' 'But I want an ice-cream . . .' and so on. Usually the parent either buys an ice-cream, or the child dissolves into tears.
Sometimes we cannot control the tone of our voice. Our emotions get the better of us. For example, a student who is being told off by a teacher might find himself crying as he tries to reply. 'I'm very sorry I did not do my homework,' he might say, as the tears well up in his eyes. His tone is apologetic and he is distressed.
We call this kind of emotional tone involuntary because we have no control over it. Another good example of an involuntary tone is that of embarrassment. None of us ever want to sound embarrassed, but sometimes we cannot help it. A waiter who accidentally spills soup over a customer might blush with embarrassment. This will be evident in the way he apologises. The customer is more likely to be angry. He could speak in a loud, shrill tone.