MoodMood

MoodMood

DefinitionDefinition::

The The feelingfeeling or impression the author or impression the author creates with his writingcreates with his writing

Also refers to the feelings the reader has Also refers to the feelings the reader has about the characters or setting in a storyabout the characters or setting in a story

Mood can be identified by analyzing the Mood can be identified by analyzing the settingsetting of a story and by analyzing the of a story and by analyzing the character’s actionscharacter’s actions and and dialoguedialogue

Identifying Mood through Identifying Mood through Character’s Words & ActionsCharacter’s Words & Actions

Readers need to recognize/analyze the following:Readers need to recognize/analyze the following:

SituationSituation in which the character is involved in which the character is involved

Character’s Character’s reactionsreactions to the situation to the situation

Character’s Character’s reactionsreactions to other characters to other characters

Character’s Character’s body languagebody language

Character’s Character’s tone of voicetone of voice

What the What the characters saycharacters say to and about others to and about others

The character’s The character’s thoughts and emotionsthoughts and emotions

Identifying Mood through Identifying Mood through Character’s Words & ActionsCharacter’s Words & ActionsIdentify theIdentify the situationsituation—what is the —what is the character doing?character doing?

Find the Find the key words and phraseskey words and phrases that show that show the character’s reactions to the situationthe character’s reactions to the situation

Ask yourselfAsk yourself: What mood is shown by the : What mood is shown by the character’s reactions?character’s reactions?

Identifying Mood through Identifying Mood through Analyzing SettingAnalyzing Setting

• Writers often Writers often select/create a settingselect/create a setting that that will impart the mood they wish to instill in will impart the mood they wish to instill in their readerstheir readers

• Writers will use a variety of imagery Writers will use a variety of imagery devices to devices to vividly describevividly describe the setting so the setting so that readers can picture in their minds how that readers can picture in their minds how the setting the setting looks, smells, soundslooks, smells, sounds, etc. , etc.

• They use They use sensory details, simile, sensory details, simile, metaphor, personificationmetaphor, personification

Words to Describe MoodWords to Describe Mood

Just about any word that can describe an Just about any word that can describe an emotion can describe the mood in a story. The emotion can describe the mood in a story. The following list is just some examples:following list is just some examples:

CheerfulCheerful HumorousHumorous PeacefulPeaceful LightLight

TenseTense DarkDark ScaryScary suspensefulsuspenseful

TerrorTerror ApprehensiveApprehensive OminousOminous AnxiousAnxious

MelancholyMelancholy RomanticRomantic LonelyLonely SadSad

DrearyDreary MysteriousMysterious CalmCalm AngryAngry

ViolentViolent ExcitingExciting ColdCold FearfulFearful

Example Passages

•Ben stepped gingerly down the old stairs. In the shadows, he could see the ill-shapen forms of the slimy creatures lurking about on the basement floor. (develops an eerie mood)

•The color of the water was startling—a snapping crisp turquoise that took my breath away. Cascading pools spread out unexpectedly from the waterfall. (develops an exciting mood)

•What was the sound overhead? I felt a fear move down my back as heavy footsteps moved slowly across the attic toward the ladder. I felt frozen with fright. I could not move. Who—or what—was up there? (suspenseful)

Why Mood MattersWhy Mood Matters

Mood is an important literary element Mood is an important literary element because it influences the way readers feel because it influences the way readers feel about what they are reading.about what they are reading.

Mood can draw a reader into a story and Mood can draw a reader into a story and can compel a reader to continue to read.can compel a reader to continue to read.