Tone vs. Mood: Similar, yet Different

1. Tone vs. Mood: Similar, yet Different MOOD – is the overall feeling, dominant impression, or emotional climate of a literary work, often developed, at least in part through the description of setting. TONE – is the author’s attitude toward his or her subject (event, work, characters, or reader) in a literary work.

2. Tone vs. Mood: Bottomline MOOD – is the feeling you get from the reading TONE – is the feeling the author is trying to project towards a subject in the reading ** An author will use various words & phrases to create a TONE or MOOD. In order to create a certain MOOD or TONE, an author must focus in on his/her DICTION. **

3. What is DICTION? DICTION – is word choice. Diction can be formal or informal, abstract or concrete. ** Tone and Mood are influenced by diction. In a literary work, the words an author selects gives off a certain feeling or impression. Word choice is essential in creating that impression. **

4. DICTION: Connotation & Denotation Diction controls the tone or mood being conveyed by a writer. Knowing that, a writer must choose his/her words carefully because CONNOTATION & DENOTATION. DENOTATION – refers to the literal or “dictionary” definition of a word. CONNOTATION – refers to the unspoken or implied meanings associated with a word beyond its literal definition.

5. CONNOTATION vs. DENOTATION Examples: • Both “Janitor” and “Custodian” denote a person who cleans a building, yet “Custodian” has a more dignified connotation. • “Odor” and fragrance” both denote “smell”, yet “odor” has a negative connotation, and “fragrance” has a more appealing connotation.

6. CONNOTATION vs. DENOTATION In each item below, you will find three words with similar denotations, yet their connotation are different. Identify connotation of each word as: positive, negative, or neutral Lazy Relaxed Slow

7. Positive, Negative, or Neutral • mousy shy modest • dignified stiff-necked reserved • stubborn persistent persevering • self-confident proud conceited • curious nosy concerned

8. CONNOTATION vs. DENOTATION Connotation plays a big role in the search for the “right word.” In certain contexts, a word’s connotation can clash with the picture presented. • The senator introduced his mommy to the guests. • The Baroness delicately slurped her soup. • Paul flung down his napkin and pranced out. • The United Nations assembly recessed for chow. • The gale winds hurt several houses in the area.

9. CONNOTATION vs. DENOTATION In each of the sentences below, one word obviously clashes with the picture presented. Remove the word and rewrite the sentence with a more appropriate synonym. • The senator introduced his mommy to the guests. • The Baroness delicately slurped her soup. • Paul flung down his napkin and pranced out. • The United Nations assembly recessed for chow. • The gale winds hurt several houses in the area.