mood and tone. mood mood is the overall feeling that a story creates for the reader. an author’s...

Mood and Tone

Mood

Mood is the overall feeling that a story creates for the reader.

An author’s choice of words and the details he or she chooses to write about create the mood.

cheerful

relieved

gloomy

relaxed

hopeless

tense

bleak

dreamy

inspiring

content

eerie

disappointed

annoyed

optimistic

Tone

Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject he or she is writing.

The language an author uses sets the tone.

bitter

witty

angry

playful

poignant

compassionate

humorous

mysterious

haunting

suspenseful

detached

tasteful

humble

proud

Identifying Mood and Tone

The cotton-candy clouds floated by and cast a shadow that quietly slipped over the emerald hills.

He was late. Again. But why would I expect any different? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

TEXT 1

TEXT 2

Mood: Dreamy, relaxedTone: Playful, sweet

Mood: Angry, tense Tone: Sarcastic

Guided Practice for Mood

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

At the Checkout

The cashier lifted her head and stared at the growing line of customers. She was so tired. Nearing the end of a double shift, she just wanted to step out from behind the checkout counter and crawl out the door. She rang up the last of her current customer’s groceries and said in an exhausted voice, “That will be $17.21, ma’am.”

The woman opened her coin purse and slowly began to count out quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. The customers in line shifted from one foot to another. The tall man at the end of the line let out a groan. A woman holding a toddler set her down, andimmediately the child began to screech.The cashier had had enough.

Guided Practice for Mood

A. annoyed

B. delighted

C. anxious

D. furious

1. What is the mood of this passage?

Guided Practice for Tone

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Too Late

Mr. Bartleby sauntered up to the front desk and requested that the clerk hand him his messages. Impatiently, Mr. Bartleby drummed his fingers on the polished mahogany counter as he eyed the elevator, hoping he would see the same beauty he met earlier in the lobby. Even though they had exchanged business cards, hers didn’t have a phone number, and he was hoping to get one.

“Sir, your assistant already picked up your messages,” the clerk said while scanning the papers behind his desk.

“Which assistant? My assistant…” Mr. Bartleby’s voice trailed off. He tried to hide his dismay at the clerk’s statement.

(continued on next slide)


Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

(continued from previous slide)

“Yes, sir, your assistant. She presented your business card to show she worked for you. Tall, short black hair; I think she was wearing a dark blue or black suit,” the clerk slowly said while looking around the lobby.

Mr. Bartleby knew exactly who the clerk described. He had been duped. The beauty must be working for the opposition.He turned and walked shakily to the elevator. He didn’tknow what messages she had picked up, but if shehad picked up the one he had expected to receivethat day, he was fired for sure.


A. from happy to sad

B. from loving to hateful

C. from assured to confused

D. from confident to nervous

1. How does the tone of this passage change from the beginning to the end?

mood and tone. mood mood is the overall feeling that a story creates for the reader. an author’s...

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