TONE, MOOD, TRANSITION WORDS

of a text is the author’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject; may reflect any feeling or attitude a person can express: happiness, excitement, anger, boredom, or arrogance.

tone

often mean the opposite of what they actually say

ironic tone

is a comparison using comparing words such as “like” or “and.”

simile

ex of simile

The moon was like a policeman’s flashlight tracking them as they tried to escape through the woods

• In this example, the simile of the policeman’s flashlight, combined with the verbs “tracking” and “escape,” builds a tense and suspenseful tone.

is a comparison WITHOUT comparing words.

metaphor

ex of metaphor

The moon was a warm glowing lamp in the window welcoming them home from the dark woods.

• In this example, the metaphor of the lamp, along with the adjectives “warm” and “glowing” and the verb “welcoming,” creates a pleasant and comforting tone.

is when authors attribute human behavior or traits to non-human objects or animals

personification

ex of personification

The moon cheered on the marathon runners as they raced through the woods, leapt boulders, ducked branches, and sprinted towards the finish line.

is a reference to a different work (poem, book, TV show, movie…) or something in pop culture or history.

allusion

ex of allusion

The moon reminded her of the Snoopy balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade as she skipped through the woods at midnight.

concept related to tone, feelings an author produces in the reader. Reader can consider setting and theme as well as word choice and tone

mood

ex of mood

a story set in a haunted house may produce an unsettled or frightened feeling in a reader.

TEAS TIP: define tone

authors attitude toward the subject or audience

TEAS TIP: the focus of tone

comes from the author’s perspective

TEAS TIP: purpose of tone

helps the author communicate intent (e.g. to persuade, inform, entertain)

TEAS TIP: example of tone

formal, sarcastic, optimistic, critical

TEAS TIP: key clues on tone

found in the authors choice of words, style, and details

exam tip for tone

look for how the author “sounds” or their attitude

TEAS TIP: define mood

the feeling or atmosphere the text creates for the reader

TEAS TIP: focus of mood

comes from the reader’s emotional reaction

TEAS TIP: purpose of mood

creates an emotional experience for the reader (e.g. joy, suspense, sadness)

TEAS TIP: ex of mood

cheerful, eerie, peaceful, tense

key clues of mood

found in overall imagery, settings, and descriptions

exam tip of mood

pay attention to how the text makes you feel

when authors use connecting words and phrases, to link ideas and help readers follow the flow of their thoughts

transition

transitions orient the reader within a text. Can also help show when events happened in time

ex: first, second, next, now, at this point, after, afterward, before this, previously, formerly, thereafter, finally, in conclusion

time and sequence transition

transitions let readers know the author is building on an established line of thought. Many place extra stress on an important idea

ex: moreover, also, likewise, furthermore, above all, indeed, in fact

addition or emphasis transition

transitions introduce ideas that illustrate a point

ex: for example, for instance, to illustrate, to demonstrate

example transition

transition indicate a cause-effect relationship

ex: as a result, consequently, thus

causation transition

transition indicate a difference between ideas

ex: nevertheless, despite, in contrast, however

contrast transition

within a paragraph how do transitions look?

writers often choose short words or expressions to provide transitions and smooth the flow

between paragraphs or larger sections how do transitions look?

are usually longer. May use some of the key words or ideas but the author goes into detail restating larger concepts and explaining their relationships more thoroughly