MOOD VS. TONE
Can YOU Tell the Difference?
THE BASICS…
Tone and mood are literary elements that are
integrated into literary works.
 Why do they MATTER?

Important in understanding the author’s message
 Helpful in trying to understand theme and style

LISTEN
TO
ME!!!
AUTHOR
TONE…

Describes the attitude or feelings of the writer
towards a subject.
Can be determined by word choice (Diction) and
details.
 Possible adjectives to describe tone are:

Serious
 Bitter
 Joyful
 Humorous
 Amused
 Angry
 Ironic
 Sarcastic

And many
MANY more!
MUSHROOMS…

We will now read two articles, both about
mushrooms (a food open to much debate)


Focus on the Author’s TONE, or attitude towards the
subject.
DO NOT WRITE ON THE ARTICLES, but rather,
make note of words on your tone and mood
worksheet.

After finding evidence of the author’s tone, record a couple
quotes that back up your interpretation.
What is the
author’s
TONE??
MOOD…

Mood is the feeling or atmosphere perceived by
the reader.
This is the emotions that YOU feel while reading.
 The mood indicates a prevailing feeling or frame of
mind, especially at the end of a story.
 All of the choices for setting, images, objects, and
details contribute in creating a mood.
 Some words that can be used to describe mood are:

Creepy
 Unsettling
 Joyous
 Hopeful
 Depressed

And many
MANY more!
MUSHROOMS…

Let’s return to the mushrooms 
Focus on the MOOD: the feelings or atmosphere
perceived by the reader (YOU).
 DO NOT WRITE ON THE ARTICLES, but rather,
make note of words on your tone and mood
worksheet.


After finding evidence of the author’s mood, record a couple
quotes that back up your interpretation.
What is the
MOOD??