Mood vs Tone Tone and Mood are literary elements integrated in literary works. Identifying the tone and mood in literatures is an important clue to discover the literary’s theme. Considering how the author creates a tone and mood helps the reader understand and appreciate the author’s style. Tone is a manner, a feeling or atmosphere the author has meant to set in the story, or towards a subject. It can also be considered as the attitude or feeling of the writer towards a subject. The tone can be revealed by the author’s choice of words and details. The author may use a negative or positive tone for his work. Some possible adjectives to describe a tone, are seriousness, bitterness, joyful, humorous, amusing, angry, ironic, suspicious, and many more. The following are some examples of ‘tone’ in sentences: a. I’d rather stay here and wait, than go into that dark room. The sentence above imposes that the person is scared. b. The sun is shining brightly in the meadow, let’s go out and play! The sentence above imposes that the person is happy or excited. c. I called my friend at their house, her brother said she’s not home, but I heard her voice come on the line. The sentence imposes that the person is suspicious. Mood is the feeling or atmosphere perceived by the reader. It is the emotions you feel while reading. The mood indicates a prevailing feeling, or frame of mind, especially at the start of the story. It creates a sense of expectation to readers of what is to follow. All the choices for setting, images, objects and details contribute in creating a mood. The following are some examples of ‘mood’ in sentences: a. The night was dark and stormy. The sentence gives you a scary ‘mood’. b. The man kicked and threw the poor cat out of his house. The sentence gives you a feeling of anger, or pity towards the cat. c. There was plenty of food, and the music was playing. Everybody was having a good time. The sentence gives you a mood of happiness and fun. Summary: Tone simply refers to how the author feels towards the subject, or towards something. You will know what the author’s tone is implying by the words he uses. While ‘mood’, refers to the feeling of the atmosphere the author is describing. It is what the author makes you feel when you read his writings. You can read a sentence, and feel sad, happy or angry. Read more: Difference Between Mood and Tone | Difference Between http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/differencebetween-mood-and-tone/#ixzz58S5mYyAZ tone = speaker’s attitude POSITIVE TONE WORDS admiring adoring affectionate appreciative approving bemused benevolent blithe calm casual celebratory cheerful comforting comic compassionate complimentary conciliatory confident contented delightful earnest ebullient ecstatic effusive elated empathetic encouraging euphoric excited exhilarated expectant facetious fervent flippant forthright friendly funny gleeful gushy happy hilarious hopeful humorous interested introspective jovial joyful laudatory light lively mirthful modest nostalgic optimistic passionate placid playful poignant proud reassuring reflective relaxed respectful reverent romantic sanguine scholarly self-assured sentimental serene silly sprightly straightforward sympathetic tender tranquil whimsical wistful worshipful zealous NEUTRAL (+, -, or neutral) commanding direct impartial indirect meditative objective questioning speculative unambiguous unconcerned understated NEGATIVE TONE WORDS abhorring acerbic ambiguous ambivalent angry annoyed antagonistic anxious apathetic apprehensive belligerent bewildered biting bitter blunt bossy cold conceited condescending confused contemptuous curt cynical demanding depressed derisive derogatory desolate despairing desperate detached diabolic disappointed disliking disrespectful doubtful embarrassed enraged evasive fatalistic fearful forceful foreboding frantic frightened frustrated furious gloomy grave greedy grim harsh haughty holier-than-thou hopeless hostile impatient incredulous indifferent indignant inflammatory insecure insolent irreverent lethargic melancholy mischievous miserable mocking mournful nervous ominous outraged paranoid pathetic patronizing pedantic pensive pessimistic pretentious psychotic resigned reticent sarcastic sardonic scornful self-deprecating selfish serious severe sinister skeptical sly solemn somber stern stolid stressful strident suspicious tense threatening tragic uncertain uneasy unfriendly unsympathetic upset violent wry mood = emotional effect that the text creates for the audience POSITIVE MOOD WORDS amused awed bouncy calm cheerful chipper confident contemplative content determined dignified dreamy ecstatic empowered energetic enlightened enthralled excited exhilarated flirty giddy grateful harmonious hopeful hyper idyllic joyous jubilant liberating light-hearted loving mellow nostalgic optimistic passionate peaceful playful pleased refreshed rejuvenated relaxed relieved satiated satisfied sentimental silly surprised sympathetic thankful thoughtful touched trustful vivacious warm welcoming NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS aggravated annoyed anxious apathetic apprehensive barren brooding cold confining confused cranky crushed cynical depressed desolate disappointed discontented distressed drained dreary embarrassed enraged envious exhausted fatalistic foreboding frustrated futile gloomy grumpy haunting heartbroken hopeless hostile indifferent infuriated insidious intimidated irate irritated jealous lethargic lonely melancholic merciless moody morose nauseated nervous nightmarish numb overwhelmed painful pensive pessimistic predatory rejected restless scared serious sick somber stressed suspenseful tense terrifying threatening uncomfortable vengeful violent worried
