1. Mood, Tone, and Theme

2. Test Thursday! 1) Each of the students brought (their, his or her) project. 2) Many teachers love to eat (their, his or her) lunches in class. 3) Did anyone leave (their, his or her) jacket on the bus? 4) Few toddlers will eat (their, his or her) dinners. 5) Neither of the boys wants (their, his or her) presents. 6) Has anybody called (their, his or her) parents yet? 7) Everything in the museum had (their, its) case broken.

3. Key Questions What is tone? What is mood? How do authors convey mood and tone? What is the difference between mood and tone? How can we understand theme?

4. Basic Definition - Tone Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject he or she is writing about. For example, a comedian might write with a humorous tone and a news reporter might write with an objective tone.

5. A Comparison One fun way to understand tone is to listen to cover songs. How would you describe the tone in Tears for Fears’ version of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”?

6. Now... Write down some describing words for Lorde’s version of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” Are they different? How did she change the tone?

7. How Do Authors Convey Tone? In music, we interpreted the tone by listening to the singer’s voice. In written art, we “listen” to the author’s voice. The author conveys tone with word choice, syntax, symbolism, imagery, and figurative language.

8. Sometimes It’s Tricky Sometimes interpreting the tone is tricky. It may help to research the author’s background. Read about the following author and then read his poem. Use your sheet to describe the tone.

9. Does it matter?—losing your legs?... For people will always be kind, And you need not show that you mind When the others come in after hunting To gobble their muffins and eggs. Does it matter?—losing your sight? There's such splendid work for the blind; And people will always be kind, As you sit on the terrace remembering And turning your face to the light. Do they matter?—those dreams from the pit? You can drink and forget and be glad, And people won't say that you're mad; For they'll know you've fought for your country And no one will worry a bit. “Does It Matter?” by Siegfried Sassoon Siegfried Sassoon was an English poet in the early 1900’s. He was a WWI veteran and an activist for wounded soldiers. How would you describe the tone of this poem?

10. Basic Definition - Mood Mood refers to the way a story or poem makes the reader feel. For example, a ghost story might make the reader feel nervous, frightened, or exhilarated.

11. Do You See The Difference? Tone is about the author. Mood is about the reader. Tone contributes to mood because the author’s attitude can affect the reader’s feelings.

12. Scary Mary Anyone love Mary Poppins? Let’s check out “Scary Mary.” How did they change the mood?

13. “He is sorry- For everything- For Prentisstown- For Viola- For Ben- For every failure and every wrong- For letting his pa down- And he's looking up at me- And he's begging me- He's begging me- Like I'm the only one who can forgive him- Like it's only me who's got the power- Todd?- Please- And all I can say is "Davy-" And the fright and the terror in his Noise is too much- It's too much- And then it stops. Davy slumps, eyes still open, eyes still staring back at me, eyes still asking (I swear) for me to forgive him. And he lies there, still. Davy Prentiss is dead.” ― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the AnswerPatrick NessThe Ask and the Answer

14. Give Me Five Words... to describe the Spring: What mood do you picture when you think of Spring?

15. Now Read These “The trees are brown and bare, slimy with rain. Some are crawling with new purple hairs. And the buds are bulging like tumorous acne, and I can tell that something wet, and soft, and cold, and misshapen is about to be born.” ― M.T. Anderson, ThirstyThirsty “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” ― T.S. Eliot, The Waste LandThe Waste Land How do these passages differ from your picture?

16. How Did They Change the Mood? “The trees are brown and bare, slimy with rain. Some are crawling with new purple hairs. And the buds are bulging like tumorous acne, and I can tell that something wet, and soft, and cold, and misshapen is about to be born. ” ― M.T. Anderson, ThirstyThirsty “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” ― T.S. Eliot, The Waste LandThe Waste Land

17. In Groups 1) Read through “Harlem Night Song” by Langston Hughes with a critical eye. 2) Describe the tone and the mood using the handout. 3) “Remix” the poem - choose one of the words from the negative side of the mood list and rewrite the poem. Make your reader feel the mood!