HELLO

EVERYONE!

Setting and
Atmosphere
activity!
Instructions: Describe the scene/setting and the overall mood in the following
situations. How would each character describe and feel about such events that are
contrary to their interests?

Situation A Situation B

Senior Citizen’s Night for a Youth Night for a Grandparent

Teenager Forced to Accompany Accompanying a grandchild
His/ Her Grandparents (Disco/ Talent Show)
(Bingo and Raffles)
Setting - specific place, time period, weather, time of day in which the
story takes place
Atmosphere – the surrounding mood, generally established through the
meaning and
action of the scene/ setting
• A change in the setting creates a specific atmosphere and from each, a
different story would emerge (example: a home invasion at daytime and at
night would vary in motive
or outcome)
• Setting evokes a specific behavior or emotional response from the
characters (example: darkness is associated to trouble/ danger and
character would feel unsafe, evoking a worried/tense response also from
readers)
• Atmosphere functions to set the emotions and state of mind and brings out
inner experience. Words used whether symbolically or as concrete
expressions allow the reader to experience what is depicted.
• Atmospheric tension is the disruption of balance or status quo much
like the conflict in the plot through:
1. putting characters in opposition with nature – dark and stormy night;
turbulent weather puts people on the edge
2. putting characters in unfamiliar setting – remote/abandoned campsite
gives the creepy, terrifying feeling
3. irony – describing the town as sleepy and the next scene describes chaos
Some ways to establish mood/ atmosphere:
1. Word choice – the exact scene may evoke different feelings as written by
two differentwriters.
2. Tone - the writer’s attitude contribute to the mood
3. Setting – as already mentioned, can affect the mood. One must pay
attentionon the way characters interact with what is happening around them
(e.g. does it cause tension, are characters provoked or do they feel
comfortable about it)
4. Dialogue – pep talk creates a different mood (relaxed) from a heated
argument (tension)
5. Internal monologue – characters’ inner thoughts and observations help to drive
home the mood of the moment
6. Description – the writer decides as to which scene or object to focus on or ignore
to evoke a specific feeling (e.g. the sudden whisk of cool air instead of the
celebration creates eerie feeling rather than focusing on the revelry)
7. Rhythm of Language – short concise sentences evoke urgency; long complex
sentences are more intense (“We need to act fast.” Versus “We have suffered long
enough to let it go or play a deaf ear while these erstwhile corrupt so-called leaders
that we have continue to enjoy their loot to in utmost vulgarity.”
8. Tools of poetry – use of imagery, metaphor, simile, and other poetic devices to
foster a particular mood (e.g. the sunset like the color of bloodbath)
BACK DAYS
Instructions: Describe a typical date in these different periods.

1. Which is more intimate and formal? _________________

2. Which is more relaxed and casual? _________________
3. What do you think are favorable characteristics of each period in terms of dating?.