Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation National 5 English Tone and Mood Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation

Today, we will… learn about the difference between a writer’s tone and mood; work through some examples together; and practise answering some example past-paper questions.

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Tone and Mood Tone and mood are very similar. Tone is the writer’s attitude towards a subject in a text – it is how the writer feels. Mood is the atmosphere created in the text – it is how the reader feels.

Examples of Tone Angry Frustrated Exhausted Happy Excited

Things to Think About When considering tone, you should look carefully at the writer’s choice of words and details. The attitude might be stated or implied. Sentence structure might also be key.

Gaining the attention of his classmates as well as his pretentious teacher, the brave student courageously questioned his professor’s intelligence by challenging him about the difficult textbook. What is the tone of this sentence? Example 1

Gaining the attention of his classmates as well as his pretentious teacher, the brave student courageously questioned his professor’s intelligence by challenging him about the difficult textbook. What is the tone of this sentence? Example 1

Example 1 - Answer The tone is admiring or impressed. This can be inferred through the writer’s word choice regarding the student. The writer admires the student, describing him/her as “brave”. On the other hand, describing the teacher as “pretentious” conveys that the writer disapproves of him/her.

Drawing the attention of his classmates as well as his well-respected teacher, the demanding student dared to experiment with his professor’s intelligence by interrogating him about the widely-used textbook. What is the tone of this sentence? Example 2

Drawing the attention of his classmates as well as his well-respected teacher, the demanding student dared to experiment with his professor’s intelligence by interrogating him about the widely-used textbook. What is the tone of this sentence? Example 2

Example 2 - Answer The tone is critical or disapproving. This can be inferred through the writer’s word choice regarding the student. The writer is on the side of the professor, as s/he is described as “well-respected”. On the other hand, describing the student as “demanding” conveys that the writer disapproves of him/her.

Reminder Tone is the writer’s attitude towards a subject in a text while mood is the feeling the reader experiences whilst reading the text – it is the atmosphere created in the text.

Example 3 She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her.

Example 3 She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her. By analysing the writer’s use of language and the atmosphere it’s establishing, we can see that the mood is scary or frightening.

Examples of Tones Light-hearted Formal Ironic Serious Sarcastic Sinister Angry Critical Gloomy Mocking Anxious Whimsical Joyful Nostalgic Sorrowful Informal Uncertain Doubtful

Further Examples For each of the following, identify both the tone and all the tonal markers that helped you arrive at your answer. The last time I saw legs that thin, there was a message tied round them. And talking of pigeons, his chest was so concave I fully expected to see feathers on it. Bring three pieces of identity with you, a letter of recommendation from your headteacher, a full CV, the form filled-in in triplicate and a cheque for £150. You have to admit it, they don't ask much.

Example 4 The last time I saw legs that thin, there was a message tied round them. And talking of pigeons, his chest was so concave I fully expected to see feathers on it. Humorous tone: Use of exaggeration or series of exaggerations Telling jokes

Example 5 Bring three pieces of identity with you, a letter of recommendation from your headteacher, a full CV, the form filled-in in triplicate and a cheque for £150. You have to admit it, they don't ask much. Ironic/sarcastic/tongue-in-cheek tone: Saying the opposite of what is meant (the last sentence) Use of a list to emphasise how many requirements there are

Example 6 Megan Davies has what is traditionally thought to be an idyllic childhood. She is the youngest of three in a lively, happy family, living on Rose Dew Farm in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan, a mile from the beach. Question Select one word or expression which creates a particular tone and explain how effective you find it. (2 marks)