Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere Are Distinct but Connected
- Let’s say your friend texts you:
> “k. whatever.” - You know they’re mad, even if they didn’t say it directly. That’s tone.
- Now imagine how you feel reading that message. Annoyed? Uneasy? Confused? That’s mood.
- Now imagine you’re reading it at 2am, alone, after a fight, with no reply for hours. That’s atmosphere.
Tone is About Attitude
Definition
Tone
The writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience.
- Tone is how the writer comes across. Serious? Mocking? Grateful? Bitter?
- Writers show tone through:
- Word choice: “cheap” vs “affordable”
- Sentence structure: Short, snappy = urgent. Long, winding = reflective.
- Figurative language: Metaphors, irony, exaggeration
- You’re hearing the writer’s voice through writing.
In George Orwell's Animal Farm, the tone is often satirical, exposing the absurdities of totalitarian regimes.
Mood is About You
Definition
Mood
The emotional effect on the reader.
- Mood is the emotional response the text triggers:
- Unease
- Joy
- Guilt
- Peace
