Name: _____________________ Period: _______

CL SE ANALYZING TONE & MOOD

READING WITHIN A TEXT p. 1

Essential Terms

Tone: author’s attitude Mood: response or

or feelings toward the emotions created in the
audience and subject. reader of the text.

For common terms used to For common terms used to

describe tone, see appendix #1 describe mood, see appendix #2

Diction: Imagery: Fig. Lang.: Syntax

Choice of Use of Language Arrangement
words and language that that intends of words and
phrases for appeals to to differ from phrases for
an intended five physical the literal sentence
effect senses meaning structure

Analyzing Diction – Word Choice

Denotative Meaning Connotative Meaning
The literal meaning of a word, or dictionary The feelings or associations the audience
definition. Excludes imagination or has about a word. Impact can be
emotional response. negative/neutral/positive.

Example Denotation Example Connotation

The phrase: “You are a dog” literally In context of saying, “You are a dog.” to
translates, “You are a canine.” Canine is the another person, you imply negatively that
literal def. of “dog” they are ugly or dirty.

When analyzing diction, look for patterns within the connotations found within the
words used in the text. These patterns develop the tone and mood of the text.
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READING WITHIN A TEXT p. 2

Denotation/Connotation Exercise
The terms listed above each chart are synonyms and have basically the same denotative meaning.
However, each word carries different connotations. Place the words in the chart where you believe
they would rate on the scale of negative to positive connotations.

Childlike Youthful Childish Young

When words in a text consistently hold negative connotations

When words in a text consistently hold positive connotations

the overall tone/mood will be negative in nature. Example:

the overall tone/mood will be positive in nature. Example:

More Negative More Positive
Hostile, Derogatory, Antagonistic, Foreboding.

Excited, Enthusiastic, Optimistic, Reverent.

Chick Female Woman Lady
More Negative More Positive

Slim Skinny Slender Thin

More Negative More Positive

Cry Weep Tear Up Watery Eyes

More Negative More Positive

Naked Nude Unclothed Natural

More Negative More Positive

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READING WITHIN A TEXT p. 3

Analyzing Imagery and Figurative Language

Root Word
“vis” to see

Visual Imagery
Something seen in
the mind’s eye
Tactile Imagery Gustatory Imagery
Touch or feel Represents a taste

Auditory Imagery Olfactory Imagery

Represents a sound Represents a smell

Commonly Used Figurative Language

Simile: Comparison using Our soldiers are as brave as lions.

like or as Her cheeks are red like a rose.

Metaphor: comparison The assignment was a breeze.

without like or as The skies of his future began to darken.

Personification: something The wind whispered through the dry grass

nonhuman is given human Time waits for no one, it just marches forward.
characteristics
Hyperbole: extreme Your suitcase weights a ton!
exaggeration Having kids is like juggling a million balls.

Allusion: reference to Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.

historical or famous Getting involved will just open up Pandora’s box.
person, place, or thing.
When analyzing imagery and figurative language, consider the experience the
language creates for the audience and how it portrays the author’s attitude.
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WITHIN A TEXT p. 4
READING
Analyzing Imagery and Figurative Language
“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into
the palace of justice… Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of
bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline..”
Martin Luther King
Identify 2 uses of imagery in the passage. Provide evidence from text.
Type Evidence From Text

Identify 2 uses of figurative language in the passage. Provide evidence from the text.
Type Evidence From Text

Describe the mood:

Describe the tone:

“Like the sun, she bathed us in her warm glow. Now that the sun has set and the cool of the evening has come, some of
the warmth we absorbed is flowing back to her.” Archbishop George Carey Eulogy of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Identify 2 uses of imagery in the passage. Provide evidence from text.
Type Evidence From Text

Identify 2 uses of figurative language in the passage. Provide evidence from the text.
Type Evidence From Text

Describe the mood:

Describe the tone:

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 CL SE ANALYZING TONE & MOOD
WITHIN A TEXT p. 5
READING
Analyzing Imagery and Figurative Language
“Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond the heights.
We cry aloud and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry” Robert Green

Identify 2 uses of imagery in the passage. Provide evidence from text.

Type Evidence From Text

Identify 2 uses of figurative language in the passage. Provide evidence from the text.

Type Evidence From Text

Describe the mood:

Describe the tone:

“Opportunity eagerly stretches out her arms to us. As we open our eyes each morning, she forgets and forgives any
neglect of the past. Each night we burn the records of the day; at sunrise, every soul is born again.” Cavett Robert
Identify 2 uses of imagery in the passage. Provide evidence from text.

Type Evidence From Text

Identify 2 uses of figurative language in the passage. Provide evidence from the text.

Type Evidence From Text

Describe the mood:

Describe the tone:

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READING WITHIN A TEXT p. 6

Analyzing Syntax – Sentence Structure

Powerful Syntax Strategies
A speaker’s strategic sentence structure is used to create tempo and pace that
expresses a speaker’s attitude or intends to have a specific impact on the audience.

Rhetorical Question:
proposing a question to
make a point as opposed to
requiring an actual answer
Hall ran the tightest, safest climbing operation on the mountain, bar
none. A compulsively methodical man, he had elaborate systems in
place that were supposed to prevent such a catastrophe. So what
happened? How can it be explained, not only to the loved ones left
behind, but to a censorious public?
What is the impact of the rhetorical questions in the text?
TONE:
MOOD:

Anaphora (beginning) &
Epistrophe (end): repetition
of words or phrases at the
beginning or end of clauses
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in
France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with
growing confidence and growing strength in the air
What is the impact of the repetition in the text?
TONE:
MOOD:

Juxtaposition: two elements
placed close together with
purposeful contrasting
effect
If we don't do something real soon, I think you'll have to agree that
we're going to be forced either to use the ballot or the bullet.
What is the impact of placing “ballot” and “bullet” side by side?
TONE:
MOOD:

Antithesis: two elements
placed together that are not
only similar, but polar
opposites
Money is the root of all evils: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as
fools.
What is the impact of placing “money” and “poverty” and “evils”
and “goodness” side by side?
TONE:
MOOD:

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