Tensile energy absorption in paper has long been measured as the area under the load-elongation curve. Little effort has been made to define where and how that energy is used within the paper itself. Characterization of tensile energy absorption in paper is discussed. Multiple small elements within newsprint and kraft sack have been defined and the energy absorbed in those elements are discussed. The tensile profiles of the weak paper, newsprint, and the tough paper, kraft sack, are presented as separate strain profiles, stress profiles, and strain energy density profiles. This allows a complete analysis of the energy absorption of both papers for comparison or contrast.