R.L. 10.4 Tone/Mood

R.L. 10.4 Tone/Mood

RL/RI 10.4 “Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in the text including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of word choices on meaning and tone”

​Standard Vocabulary

​Connotation: gives the reader or listener a distinct impression or feeling, calling on emotion rather than fact.

​

​Denotation: the literal meaning of the word (dictionary definition)

​

​Diction: word choice

​

​Tone: how the author feels about the subject

​

Mood: how the author wants you the reader to feel

​

​Figurative: not literal; implied

​Positive- good

​

​Negative- bad

​

​Neutral- neither good or bad

​

​Objective- no opinion

​

​Biased- leaning one way

​Denotation

​What the author literally means. The literal meaning- nothing implied.

​

​“The family sat together in front of a warm fire.”

​

The denotative (dictionary definition/literal interpretation) of warm = nearly hot

​Connotation

​The implied meaning behind a word. All the meanings, associations, or emotions that have come to be attached to some words, in addition to their literal dictionary definition.

​

​“The family sat together in front of a warm fire.”

​

The connotative or figurative interpretation of warm = comforting; friendly (mood/tone)

​Connotation

Diction creates TONE.

​

​The tone is how the author feels about the topic. It's how they are portraying the topic.

​

Tone and diction ​can reveal hidden opinions, attitudes, or judgments about a topic.

Multiple Choice

The bossy little girl told everyone to "get into their places" before the play. 

How does the author likely feel about the little girl? 

• He loves her and respects her. 

• He is annoyed by her demanding nature. 

• He thinks that she is responsible and a great leader. 

• He thinks that she should grow up. 

Connotation

​Connotation can be more nuanced

(varying levels) ​than just "positive" and "negative".

​

​Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions

no one else can answer.

​Informed--neutral

Confident--positive

Conceited--negative

Connotation

​Notice how connotation changes and denotation is similar.

​

​Is saying someone is "pleased about going to Disney World" the same as: "She was exuberant when I told her we were going to Disney World"?

Poll

Which picture best describes exuberant? 

Poll

What color might represent a triumphant tone? (Think about color symbolism) 

• Red 

• White 

• Yellow 

• Pink 

Multiple Choice

Which word portrays a tone of criticism?

• lazy

• relaxed

Multiple Choice

Which creates a feeling of pleasure while eating?

• Juicy

• Greasy

Multiple Choice

Which word creates a sympathetic tone?

• Victim

• Loser

​Mood

​

​Mood

​The mood is how the author wants you to feel as you read.

​

​You can look at:

​

​- the author's word choice

​- the setting

​

​Mood relies heavily on setting.

Poll

What is likely the mood being created here? 

• Joyous 

• uncomfortable 

• threatening/tense

• flirty 

Multiple Choice

Jenny was so sure that her science project would win first place. When the announcer proclaimed Amy the winner, Jenny’s stomach dropped. She quietly gathered her materials and exited the cafeteria so that no one would see her cry.

For the reader, the selection creates a mood of ______________.

• triumph

• disappointment

• passion

• fear

• h

Multiple Choice

Animal Farm by George Orwell

A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. Yes, it was theirs—everything that they could see was theirs! In the ecstasy of that thought they gamboled round and round, they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass, they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent. It was as though they had never seen these things before, and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own.

What is the mood of the passage?

• boring

• despair

• triumphant

• silly

Open Ended

Animal Farm by George Orwell

A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. Yes, it was theirs—everything that they could see was theirs! In the ecstasy of that thought they gamboled round and round, they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass, they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent. It was as though they had never seen these things before, and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own.

What evidence supports the mood? (you can select a few words- no sentences necessary) 

​https://www.flocabulary.com/unit/tone-and-mood/video/

​https://drive.google.com/drive/search?q=tone

Review ​

​

Fill in the Blanks

What can you examine to infer the tone?

Multiple Choice

A whimsical tone might be...

• positive

• negative

• neu

Multiple Choice

An objective tone might be..

• positive

• negative

• neutral

Poll

Which of these words has the strongest connotation?

• mob 

• gang 

• group 

• crowd 

Open Ended

What is the difference between mood and tone?

Poll

I can organize tone words according to their severity.