Mood and Tone in Mystery/Suspense

● As readers of mystery and suspense novels, we

must recognize when the mood and/or tone

shifts and how that shift may have an impact on

the character(s)

● Identifying the tone or mood provides important

clues that help the reader to discover MORE about
the novel.

● Considering how a certain tone or mood is created

helps the reader appreciate the author’s style and
purpose.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

TONE =

The author’s attitude
about the subject.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

You can recognize the tone by the word
choices/language, sentence structure and length, &
imagery that the author uses. Tone may be inferred and
explained using descriptive words.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

SAMPLE WORDS TO DESCRIBE TONE =

Positive: sympathetic, humorous, supportive, sincere, involved

Negative: sarcastic, outraged, accusatory, cautious, mysterious

MOOD =

The emotions/feelings
created within the reader
by part or all of a literary
work.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

You can identify the mood by recognizing the feelings
that you, as the reader, are having/experiencing due to
the author’s word choice and details. The mood has to
be inferred, too!

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

SAMPLE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MOOD =

Positive: joyous, inspired, grateful, hopeful, energetic

Negative: frustrated, nervous, jealous, lonely, saddened

Tone = Author

TONE IS THE VIBE THAT THE AUTHOR IS SETTING UP

Mood = ME

MOOD IS HOW YOU, AS THE READER, IS ACTUALLY FEELING

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

AS WE WATCH, PAY ATTENTION TO BACKGROUND MUSIC,
COLOR SCHEMES, LIGHTING, VOICES, WORD CHOICE, ETC.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

Watch the following clips:

#1

#2

● What was the TONE and MOOD in the first video?
● What about the second video?
● Was there a difference in the way you felt while watching

each video? WHY?

● What did the “author” (director) do to drastically

change the tone and mood for the same movie?
○Remember to consider background music, color schemes,
lighting, voices, word choice, etc. (These are the same as
literary elements in literature!)

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE: “STOP AND JOT #1:” and
respond to each of the following questions:

● Keep in mind, THE TONE THAT THE AUTHOR CHOOSES

WILL DETERMINE THE MOOD OF THE READER(S).

● While continuing to read with the lens of our first

three mini lessons, use your discoveries in specific
moments to help lead you towards identifying the
tone and recognizing the mood.

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone

● Now, sit with your book club, and complete the

following:

■ Set up your notebook with a mood/tone

note-taking strategy

■ Choose ONE scene/moment from your book
■ Work together to determine the tone AND

mood in that moment (BE SURE TO
ANALYZE FOR EACH CHOICE)!

■ Jump back into our book club procedure!!

● REMINDER: Literary Analysis Quiz tomorrow!

Mini Lesson 5: Recognizing Mood and Tone