1. Style, Tone, Mood, and Diction
English II

2. What is Style?
Every author has his or her own style – that is, each author uses literary devices, diction, tone, and mood in a particular way that makes his or her writing recognizable.

3. Style STYLE is the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentences.
The author’s
diction - personal word choice/vocabulary
syntax - types of sentences
point of view from which the text is told
organization of the text
tone and mood
These 5 components will reveal his/her style. We will focus on diction, tone, and mood today.

4. Style Words Descriptive Complex Academic Formal or Informal Dry
Abstract or Concrete
Personal
Conversational
Stream of Consciousness
Persuasive
Poetic
Technical
Elaborate/Flowery
Fluid
Choppy
Literal or Figurative
Verbose/Wordy
Abrupt

5. Comic Strip Notes - Style
Demonstrate your understanding of style (diction, syntax, pov, organization, tone and mood) using pictures/words/a comic in your first square.

6. Diction (Word Choice) Formal vs. Informal vs. Slang
They are not perturbed. (formal)
They aren’t mad. (informal)
They ain’t ticked. (slang)

7. Are the sentences below formal, informal, or slang?
Let’s go get some dinner.
It is vital to understand the text one reads.
Computers are a pain in the neck.
The Mona Lisa looks weird from up close.
Pickett’s charge at the Battle of Gettysburg was surely an awe-inspiring sight.

8. Diction continued Denotation (dictionary definition) vs.
Connotation (feelings associated with a word – positive or negative)
Example – Plump and fat have the same denotation. Plump has a positive connotation and fat has a negative connotation.

10. Which word in parentheses makes the sentence most negative?
The leader was his nation’s most (notorious, well- known, famous) advocate.
Immigrants (thronged, flocked, swarmed) to the large cities.
A (trim, skinny, slender) woman entered the room.
The man was (inebriated, drunk, intoxicated). 
Where did you find that (outfit, get-up, attire)?
Voice

11. Comic Strip Notes - Diction
Demonstrate your understanding of diction (Informal/Formal/Slang and Connotation/Denotation) using pictures/words/a comic in your second square.

12. Tone
TONE is simply the author’s attitude toward the subject. You can recognize the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author uses. His language will reveal his perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive/negative) about the subject. Tone must be inferred through the use of descriptive words.

13. Tone Words Critical Apathetic Condescending Jovial Didactic (teaching)
Gloomy
Mocking
Reverent
Reflective
Solemn
Nostalgic
Optimistic
Sarcastic
Bitter
Awe
Matter-of-fact

14. Tone Example From A River Runs Through It:
“This was the last fish we were ever to see Paul catch. My father and I talked about this moment several times later, and whatever our other feelings, we always felt it fitting that, when we saw him catch his last fish, we never saw the fish but only the artistry of the fisherman” (Maclean 113).
What is the tone?
Awe/Nostalgic

15. Tone Example From “A Tell Tale Heart”:
I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! What COULD I do? I foamed -- I raved -- I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder -- louder – louder (Poe 5).
What is the tone?
Desperate/Angry

16. Tone Example From “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”,
It was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference (Hemingway 4).
What is the tone?
Reverent/Peaceful

17. Comic Strip Notes - Tone
Demonstrate your understanding of tone using pictures/words/a comic in your third square.

18. Mood
MOOD is the overall feelings or emotions that are created IN THE READER.
Mood isn’t necessarily what you personally feel about the piece but what the author intends the reader feel.

19. Mood Words Peaceful Optimistic Amused Angry Afraid Pensive Exhilarated
Inspired
Sentimental
Sympathetic
Offended
Hopeful
Depressed

20. Mood Example
From At Her Majesty’s Request, “The girl remembered little from the raid at Okeadan in which she had been captured. She knew her parents had been killed. She had no idea what happened to her brothers and sisters. Much of what she experienced had been so horrible that she had simply shut it out of her mind” (Myers 17). What is the mood and tone of this excerpt? Mood – Sympathetic Tone – Serious/Solemn

21. Mood Example
From My Brother’s Arm “Just look at the Titanic. The captain said, ‘Even God can’t sink that ship.’ Then on the first voyage across the Atlantic, boom, it hit an iceberg and sank. And as soon as the daredevil utters ‘piece of cake’ before attempting a stunt, he is doomed” (Smith 111). What is the mood and tone? Mood – Cynical/Humorous Tone – Critical/Sarcastic

22. Mood Example From Fahrenheit 451
“I felt alive for the first time in years,” said Faber “I feel I’m doing what I should have done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last . . .” (Bradbury 131).
What is the mood and tone?
Mood – Inspired Tone – Reflective/Personal

23. What is the Tone and Mood of this example
What is the Tone and Mood of this example? (Tone of the words vs the Mood he creates for the crowd)

24. Comic Strip Notes - Mood
Demonstrate your understanding of mood using pictures/words/a comic in your fourth square.