Tone and Mood

What is Tone? Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject, the characters or the readers, which is revealed by the author’s diction.

Activity 1 Explain the difference between the following sets of words:   Silly/Giddy-silliness implies an element of childish behavior whereas giddiness implies happiness. You can be giddy without being silly. Angry/upset - Mocking/sarcastic -

Tone Words English II Tone Words Unit #1 1. Reverent 2. Indifferent/indifference 3. Patriotic 4. Optimistic 5. Pessimistic 6. Bleak 7. Apprehensive 8. Nostalgic 9. Authoritative 10. Indignant Unit #2 11. Pity 12. Mocking 13. Frisky 14. Apologetic 15. Pompous 16. Cynical 17. Discouraged 18. Melancholy 19. Depressed/depressing 20. Melodramatic

Tone Words English II Tone Words Unit #3 21. Admiring 22. Whimsy/whimsical 23. Informative 24. Elitist 25. Introspective 26. Cautionary 27. Uplifting 28. Moralistic 29. Hopeless 30. Impassioned Unit #4 31. Strident 32. Zealous 33. Straightforward 34. Uninhibited 35. Respectful 36. Lighthearted 37. Condescending 38. Objective 39. Fierce 40. Intolerant

Tone Words English II Tone Words Unit #5 41. Desperation 42. Skeptical 43. Celebratory 44. Conversational 45. Hopeful 46. Regretful 47. Resigned 48. Threatening 49. Impartial 50. Complimentary Unit #6 51. Bittersweet 52. Academic 53. Rational 54. Outraged 55. Scornful 56. Reflective 57. Blithe 58. Unemotional 59. Sardonic 60. Contemptuous

Activity 2 “This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams   I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which 5 you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious 10 so sweet and so cold

What is the author’s tone towards the subject of forgiveness?   Tone word: Insincere Explain: While Williams attempts to say he is sorry, “Forgive me” (ln. 9), the insincerity of his apology is evident as he waits to ask for forgiveness until the last stanza of the poem. Additionally, he goes on to explain how good the plums were that she was saving for breakfast “they were delicious/so sweet/and so cold” (ln. 10-12). That he rubs in how good the plums were shows he wasn’t sincere in his “apology.”

What is the author’s tone towards the person to whom he is speaking? YOU TRY: Pick a tone word and explain. Remember, you must always back up your explanation with evidence from the text.

What is Mood? Mood is the feeling a piece of literature arouses in the reader. It is the atmosphere created by the author. Some literature makes us feel happy, sad, angry, etc Mood is often created by setting.

Activity 1 “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing along, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country, and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher…I reined my horse to the precipitous brink of a black and lurid tarn that lay in unruffled luster by the dwelling…[with] vacant and eye-like windows.

Activity 1 Cont. Mood word: Depressing Explanation: The setting of this short story is at a house that is described as melancholy. Additionally, the day is “dull, dark, and soundless”. The depressing diction here creates a feeling of sadness. Additionally, the story is set in autumn, a time of year when the leaves are “dying” and the summer is “dying”.

You Try “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck The deep green pool of the Salinas River was still in the late afternoon. Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun. But by the pool among the mottled sycamores, a pleasant shade had fallen.

You Try “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically.

Classwork: Complete the Tone and Mood worksheet – due at the end of class. In your SSR book, pick one paragraph from the book for Tone and another paragraph for Mood. As we practiced in class today, pick a tone/mood word and write a short paragraph using textual evidence to prove your tone/mood word. Homework: