Introduction to Tone and Mood in texts

1. An introduction

2. Tone and Mood
 Identifying the tone and mood helps you identify the
meaning of the writing.
If you miss the mood, the literature will be much more
dull and boring and you are likely to miss the theme that
the author is trying to convey.

3. Tone
Tone is the author’s attitude towards the audience, the
subject, or the character.
Tone is shown through:
 Dialogue - talking
 Descriptions – author’s diction [word choice]

4. Tone

5. Mood
Mood is the atmosphere created by the setting, and actions
of people and characters in it.
It also relates to how the reader emotionally responds to
these elements like sadness for a tragedy.
Mood is the feeling the reader experiences from a story.
Mood is shown through :
 Setting
 Atmosphere

6. Mood

7. TONE IS NOT MOOD
The tone could be serious
but
the mood could be ridiculous.

8. TONE example
My annoying brother likes to drive me crazy.
There is no other who is that lazy.
He whines to Mom and Dad night and day
Until he eventually gets his way.
What is a sister to do
When he screams 'til he's blue?
There is no way to win, For he gets under your skin.
He does his best to kill all joy.
Oh, how my brother does annoy!
 The TONE of the passage is FRUSTRATED
 The author’s DESCRIPTIONS relay the tone.

9. TONE example
We received your request for a refund for your recent
purchase of a telescope for your son. Please accept our
sincere apologies that the product did not function as
advertised. We will process the refund in as timely a
manner as possible. In the meantime, if we can help you in
any other way, please ask.
 The TONE of the passage is APOLOGETIC/PROFESSIONAL
 The author’s DESCRIPTIONS relay the tone.

10. MOOD example
The gym of the high school was brightly decorated. The red
and white streamers covered the walls and heart shapes w
ere scattered all over the floor. Red glitter was thrown on a
ll the tables and love songs were playing in the background.
The Valentine’s dance was about to begin.
 The MOOD of the passage is ROMANTIC
 The SETTING relays the MOOD.

11. MOOD example
The door swings open to reveal all of my family members st
anding around the Christmas tree. The lights are twinkling
and the fireplace is roaring with a warm fire. Everyone is si
nging Christmas carols as the snow falls quietly outside the
window.
 The MOOD of the passage is COZY/FAMILIAR
 The ATMOSPHERE relays the mood

12. TONE IS NOT MOOD
Tone and mood can very easily be confused!
 Tone simply refers to how the author feels towards the
subject, or towards something.
You will know what the author’s tone is implying by the words
the author uses.
 While ‘mood’, refers to the feeling of the atmosphere the
author is describing.
It is what the author makes you feel when you read his writings.
You can read a sentence, and feel sad, happy or angry.