Tone and mood

English

Definition

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and style, while mood is the emotional atmosphere a text creates for the reader. Tone is what the writer feels; mood is what the reader feels. They often align but can differ for effects like irony.

Examples

  • A horror story might have a menacing tone (author's intent to frighten) and a suspenseful mood (reader's feeling of dread)
  • A sarcastic tone paired with a humorous mood in a satirical essay
  • Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' has a melancholy tone and a dark, oppressive mood

Related Terms

Tone analysis Word choice Atmosphere Imagery and metaphor

Study This Concept

Practice tone and mood with free review games in these units:

AP English Literature and Composition Unit 1: Poetry Analysis