Tone and Mood
Objectives
Student will be able to:
demonstrate understanding of tone and mood in writing.
evaluate how language affects tone and mood.
Introduction
When a writer creates a work of fiction or nonfiction, he or she carefully selects words to evoke the reader's emotions. The writer wants to create a feeling of being there to help the reader engage with the story. That feeling may be tension, peace, disappointment, joy, fantasy, realism, or even horror. The overall emotional impact or atmosphere created by a work of fiction is the
mood
. In other words, mood is the feeling that the reader gets while reading the story.
At the same time, the writing will have a certain
tone
to it. Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject he or she is writing about. This attitude might be sarcasm, seriousness, being formal or informal, or optimistic. Tone is revealed through the way the writer writes about the subject—the words and details chosen.
Exercises
Read the first three paragraphs of the passage "A Forgotten Birthday." As you read, look for words and phrases that help identify the mood and tone of the piece. When you're finished, answer the questions that follow.
1.
Which word best describes the mood of these three paragraphs?
a.
disappointment
b.
fantasy
c.
joy
d.
tension
a. disappointment
1
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
2.
What words or phrases in the paragraphs support your answer to question 1?
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
the ground had been cut from under her feet
anticipating
annoyed
distressed
frustrating
final straw
adding insult to injury
2
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
3.
Which word best describes the tone of Part 1?
a.
sarcastic
b.
optimistic
c.
ironic
d.
formal
a. sarcastic
3
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
Now read the conclusion of the passage. Again, pay attention to the tone and mood created.
4.
The concluding paragraph's mood can best be described as:
a.
disappointment
b.
fantasy
c.
joy
d.
tension
c. joy
4
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
5.
Which words or phrases support your answer to question 4?
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
eyes opened wide
squealed with delight
thrilled
bliss
happy
cheered you up
walking on air
pleasantly surprised
5
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
6.
Which word best describes the tone of Part 2?
a.
sarcastic
b.
optimistic
c.
ironic
d.
formal
b. optimistic
6
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
Exhibit Preview
Close
Mary felt as if the ground had been cut from under her feet. She had been anticipating her birthday for weeks, but no one else had remembered it. Of course, her mother had remembered, but she had only said, "Happy birthday, sweetheart. I'll pick up a cake on the way home from work." Then she ran out the door before Mary could say anything.
Mary knew that she should not feel annoyed. After all, she was getting too old to be distressed about not having a big party. However, none of Mary's friends had remembered her birthday either. It was frustrating to have to drop subtle hints like—"Guess what today is?"
The final straw came when her English teacher, Mrs. Boyce, asked her to stay after school to help organize an end-of-the-year class party. If this was not an example of adding insult to injury, Mary did not know what was.
Exhibit Preview
Close
Expecting a long, dull afternoon, Mary dragged herself to Mrs. Boyce's room, but when she entered, her eyes opened wide and she squealed with delight. Balloons bounced from the desks, and streamers were scattered everywhere. All of her friends were standing in front of a table filled with a large chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, and red fruit punch. Mary was thrilled at the sight, and her bliss was obvious to everyone. Mrs. Boyce said, "I'm certainly happy to see that this has cheered you up."
Mary replied, "I'm walking on air. Thank you all for remembering my birthday. I've never been so pleasantly surprised."