Style, Tone, Style, Tone, and Moodand Mood

……to support the author’s purposeto support the author’s purpose

What is What is STYLE STYLE ??

Every author has his or her own Every author has his or her own style style – – that is, each author uses literary devices, that is, each author uses literary devices, tone, and mood in a particular way that tone, and mood in a particular way that makes his or her writing recognizable.makes his or her writing recognizable.

When you read several books by the When you read several books by the same author, you become accustomed same author, you become accustomed to the author’s style of writing and to the author’s style of writing and sometimes you look for authors with a sometimes you look for authors with a similar style.similar style.

STYLESTYLE

STYLE is STYLE is the way the author uses words, the way the author uses words, phrases, and sentencesphrases, and sentences. .

The author’s The author’s

1)1) personal word choice/vocabulary, personal word choice/vocabulary,

2)2) types of sentences, types of sentences,

3)3) point of view from which the text is told,point of view from which the text is told,

4)4) organization of the text. organization of the text.

These 4 components will reveal his/her style. These 4 components will reveal his/her style.

STYLESTYLE

So, when analyzing an author’s style, we need So, when analyzing an author’s style, we need to consider: to consider:

point-of-view, point-of-view, formal or informal writing, formal or informal writing, organization/structure of text, organization/structure of text, level of complexity in the writing, and level of complexity in the writing, and overall overall tonetone. . By using these features in writing, different By using these features in writing, different

meanings of the content (what the story/text meanings of the content (what the story/text is about) are shown to the audience.is about) are shown to the audience.

Style: Which Point of View?Style: Which Point of View?First person:First person: (I, me, my) (I, me, my)

I went to the store today. When I was in the cereal aisle, I bumped I went to the store today. When I was in the cereal aisle, I bumped into an old friend and had a nice conversation.into an old friend and had a nice conversation.

Second person: (you; instructions/directions)Second person: (you; instructions/directions) You should work on getting your room cleaned. First, pick up the You should work on getting your room cleaned. First, pick up the clothes on the floor. Then, you need to run a vacuum and dust the clothes on the floor. Then, you need to run a vacuum and dust the tables. tables.

Third person – limited: (he/she/it/they/them told thru 1 Third person – limited: (he/she/it/they/them told thru 1 character)character)He could tell from the expression on her face that what he had said He could tell from the expression on her face that what he had said upset her. If only he knew, though, what she was really thinking.upset her. If only he knew, though, what she was really thinking.

Third-person Omniscient (‘all knowing’): Third-person Omniscient (‘all knowing’): (he/she/it/they/them told by the author; all characters’ (he/she/it/they/them told by the author; all characters’ feelings/thoughts are revealed)feelings/thoughts are revealed) She refused to look at Jamie again and instead stared at the She refused to look at Jamie again and instead stared at the statue. statue.

““Come on!” exclaimed Jamie impatiently. “It’s time to go.”Come on!” exclaimed Jamie impatiently. “It’s time to go.”

Sara ignored Jamie and continued to gaze upon the statue Sara ignored Jamie and continued to gaze upon the statue wishing she, too, could be so still and at peace. wishing she, too, could be so still and at peace.

. .

Style: Formal vs. InformalStyle: Formal vs. InformalFormal:Formal:

Dear Sir,Dear Sir,After examining your job description, I feel I After examining your job description, I feel I

am an excellent candidate. I have many years of am an excellent candidate. I have many years of experience performing these specific duties. My experience performing these specific duties. My résumé is attached. Please read it over at your résumé is attached. Please read it over at your convenience and contact me if you have questions.convenience and contact me if you have questions.

Sincerely,Sincerely,Andrew MeyerAndrew Meyer

Informal:Informal:Hey, Sara! What's going on tonight? Call me Hey, Sara! What's going on tonight? Call me

before you guys leave, okay?before you guys leave, okay?--Beth--Beth

Formal vs. InformalFormal vs. InformalThese are the two These are the two major categories of stylemajor categories of style..

FormalFormalVocabulary: high-level; Vocabulary: high-level;

business-likebusiness-like

Organization of text: very Organization of text: very structured; perhaps structured; perhaps with subtopicswith subtopics

Audience – usually 3Audience – usually 3rdrd--omnisicient (except for omnisicient (except for business letters)business letters)

Sentences: structure Sentences: structure varies (s/cd/cx)varies (s/cd/cx)

InformalInformal

Vocabulary – low-level; Vocabulary – low-level; perhaps slang; dialogueperhaps slang; dialogue

Organization of text – Organization of text – more so narrative or more so narrative or note-likenote-like

Audience – usually Audience – usually personal (more first or personal (more first or third-limited)third-limited)

Sentences – don’t vary as Sentences – don’t vary as much in structure; much in structure; mostly simple or mostly simple or compound sentencescompound sentences

STYLE: Organization of TextSTYLE: Organization of Text

Writing is organized in various ways, Writing is organized in various ways, depending upon the author’s depending upon the author’s purpose: to inform, to entertain, to purpose: to inform, to entertain, to express a belief/opinion, to persuade. express a belief/opinion, to persuade. (Remember these?(Remember these?))

STYLE: Organization of TextSTYLE: Organization of TextText usually falls within one of these types of Text usually falls within one of these types of

organizational patterns:organizational patterns:

1.1. Cause - Effect Cause - Effect 2.2. Problem – SolutionProblem – Solution3.3. Chronological (sequencing the order of events)Chronological (sequencing the order of events)4.4. Compare/ContrastCompare/Contrast5.5. Inductive (specific to general)Inductive (specific to general)6.6. Deductive (general to specific)Deductive (general to specific)7.7. Division into categoriesDivision into categories8.8. Ranking (i.e., “most __” to “least ___”)Ranking (i.e., “most __” to “least ___”)

Can you predict which would be writing patterns for Can you predict which would be writing patterns for giving information? For entertaining? For expressing giving information? For entertaining? For expressing an opinion? For persuading someone to believe as an opinion? For persuading someone to believe as you do?you do?

** We’ll discuss these styles more in depth next six weeks; for now, just know they ** We’ll discuss these styles more in depth next six weeks; for now, just know they exist.exist.

Style: Level of ComplexityStyle: Level of Complexity Does the author use mostly simple sentence structure or varies Does the author use mostly simple sentence structure or varies

the sentence structures (simple, compound, complex sentences)?the sentence structures (simple, compound, complex sentences)?

Is it simple vocabulary or higher-level word choices?Is it simple vocabulary or higher-level word choices?

What types of writing devices does the author use? Does the What types of writing devices does the author use? Does the author use dialogue? Figurative Language (similes, metaphors, author use dialogue? Figurative Language (similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, symbolism)? Flashbacks? onomatopoeia, personification, symbolism)? Flashbacks? Foreshadowing? Irony?Foreshadowing? Irony?

What about the level of detail? Is the writing very descriptive (in What about the level of detail? Is the writing very descriptive (in describing characters, settings, actions/events)? Does it become describing characters, settings, actions/events)? Does it become TOO detailed? TOO ‘wordy?’ Too ‘flowery?’ So many events in the TOO detailed? TOO ‘wordy?’ Too ‘flowery?’ So many events in the plot that the story becomes TOO confusing or “convoluted?” Or, is plot that the story becomes TOO confusing or “convoluted?” Or, is the level of detail – as Baby Bear would say, “Just right” -- to the level of detail – as Baby Bear would say, “Just right” -- to visualize the images, to understand the concepts, to build visualize the images, to understand the concepts, to build suspense???suspense???

STYLESTYLE

When analyzing style, you must When analyzing style, you must look at a piece of writing FROM look at a piece of writing FROM the overall structure of the text the overall structure of the text TO the small details and word TO the small details and word choices. Be an editor, a critic, to choices. Be an editor, a critic, to answer the question: how would answer the question: how would I describe this author’s writing I describe this author’s writing style?style?

Style: “A Gift in His Shoes”Style: “A Gift in His Shoes”Donovan and Larry were early for Donovan and Larry were early for

baseball practice. They decided to run up and baseball practice. They decided to run up and down the bleachers to exercise before the rest down the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the team arrived.of the team arrived.

Larry was first to the top. He whispered Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away.away.

Donovan whispered, “We should help him Donovan whispered, “We should help him out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice surprise.”surprise.”

Style: “A Gift in His Shoes”Style: “A Gift in His Shoes”

How would you describe the writing style of How would you describe the writing style of this author?this author?

a.a. FormalFormal

b.b. ConversationalConversational

c.c. BusinesslikeBusinesslike

Evidence?Evidence?

Point of View: third-omnisicientPoint of View: third-omnisicient

Word choices: “scraped-up,” “one big toe stuck Word choices: “scraped-up,” “one big toe stuck out”out”

Use of dialogue between charactersUse of dialogue between characters

Style: “Where Can They Style: “Where Can They Stay?”Stay?”About three million people have to look About three million people have to look

for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. make it through the hard times.

The homeless face terrible problems. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.the homeless.

Style: “Where Can They Style: “Where Can They Stay”Stay”

How would you describe the writing style How would you describe the writing style of this author?of this author?

a.a. FormalFormalb.b. ConversationalConversationalc.c. BusinesslikeBusinesslike

Evidence?Evidence?Point of View: 3Point of View: 3rd – omnisicientrd – omnisicient

Organizational structure: cause-effectOrganizational structure: cause-effectWord choices: “unfortunate,” “resources”Word choices: “unfortunate,” “resources”

StyleStyle

There may be as many styles as There may be as many styles as there are writers. Think about there are writers. Think about your favorite authors? Why do your favorite authors? Why do you like their books? Is it you like their books? Is it because of their style of writing? because of their style of writing? . . . And so, how would you . . . And so, how would you describe their style of writing?describe their style of writing?

StyleStyle

Descriptive?Descriptive? Thoroughly-developed? Thoroughly-developed? Academic?Academic? Formal?Formal? Informal?Informal? Business-like?Business-like? Personal?Personal?

TONETONE

TONE is simply the author’s attitude TONE is simply the author’s attitude toward the subject. toward the subject.

You can recognize the tone/attitude by You can recognize the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author the language/word choices the author uses. His language will reveal his uses. His language will reveal his perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive/negative) about the subject.positive/negative) about the subject.

Tone Tone must be inferredmust be inferred through the use of through the use of descriptive words.descriptive words.

Tone Example Tone Example    The girls were playing in the pond, splashing The girls were playing in the pond, splashing

each other and trying to catch fish with their hands. each other and trying to catch fish with their hands. They were having fun, but kept looking over their They were having fun, but kept looking over their shoulders at the looming forest. The long grass of shoulders at the looming forest. The long grass of the field kept moving and they sort of felt like they the field kept moving and they sort of felt like they were being watched… About a half hour passed and were being watched… About a half hour passed and still the girls kept checking the field for movements. still the girls kept checking the field for movements. It seemed like a pair of dark eyes was on them. They It seemed like a pair of dark eyes was on them. They even considered going back inside, but that would even considered going back inside, but that would mean homework time. So they continued splashing, mean homework time. So they continued splashing, but with caution now. Their eyes hardly left the field.but with caution now. Their eyes hardly left the field.

The The tonetone of this passage is of this passage is ominousominous, suggesting a , suggesting a little bit of little bit of fear or forebodingfear or foreboding.. Words like Words like "caution, dark, and looming“ lead readers to the "caution, dark, and looming“ lead readers to the tone.tone.

TONE EXAMPLETONE EXAMPLE

Finally, one of the girls pointed to the grass and Finally, one of the girls pointed to the grass and giggled. "Meow!" A cat sat on the edge of the giggled. "Meow!" A cat sat on the edge of the field and licked its paw. They did indeed have field and licked its paw. They did indeed have company. The girls ran over to the cat and pet company. The girls ran over to the cat and pet his belly. They laughed and the cat sauntered his belly. They laughed and the cat sauntered back to the field. back to the field.

The The tonetone of this passage is happy/contentment as of this passage is happy/contentment as there was a successful, happy resolution to the there was a successful, happy resolution to the problem.problem.

TONETONE

Identifying the TONE is all about Identifying the TONE is all about knowing the definitions of many knowing the definitions of many descriptive vocabulary words. descriptive vocabulary words. Without this large vocabulary, it’s Without this large vocabulary, it’s difficult to describe outside of “good” difficult to describe outside of “good” and “bad.”and “bad.”

TONETONESo, let’s So, let’s TONETONE our brain muscles our brain muscles

with descriptive vocabulary with descriptive vocabulary exercises!!exercises!!

BitterBitter SeriousSerious WittyWitty PlayfulPlayful TenderTender SympatheticSympathetic HauntingHaunting MysteriousMysterious SuspensefulSuspenseful

Tasteful/distastefulTasteful/distasteful NonchalantNonchalant Angry Angry Attached/Attached/

DetachedDetached InnocentInnocent PoignantPoignant CompassionateCompassionate HumorousHumorous Gore-yGore-y

Tone: “A Gift in His Shoes”Tone: “A Gift in His Shoes”Donovan and Larry were early for baseball Donovan and Larry were early for baseball

practice. They decided to run up and down the practice. They decided to run up and down the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the team arrived.team arrived.

Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to a Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away.scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away.

Donovan whispered, “We should help him Donovan whispered, “We should help him out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice surprise.”surprise.”

Tone: “A Gift in His Shoes”Tone: “A Gift in His Shoes”

How would you describe the tone How would you describe the tone [attitude] of this author?[attitude] of this author?

a.a. AngryAngry

b.b. DetachedDetached

c.c. SympatheticSympathetic

Evidence?Evidence?

Tone: “Where Can They Tone: “Where Can They Stay?”Stay?”About three million people have to look About three million people have to look

for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. make it through the hard times.

The homeless face terrible problems. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.the homeless.

Tone: “Where Can They Tone: “Where Can They Stay”Stay”

How would you describe the tone How would you describe the tone [attitude] of this author?[attitude] of this author?

a.a. DisgruntledDisgruntled

b.b. NonchalantNonchalant

c.c. SeriousSerious

Evidence?Evidence?

MOODMOOD

MOOD is the overall feelings or emotions MOOD is the overall feelings or emotions that are created IN THE READER. that are created IN THE READER.

The “power of the pen” can move The “power of the pen” can move mountains. mountains.

Authors “move” their readers’ moods Authors “move” their readers’ moods through their choice of words and level through their choice of words and level of detail.of detail.

MOOD EXAMPLEMOOD EXAMPLE  

During the holidays, my mother's house glittered During the holidays, my mother's house glittered with decorations and hummed with preparations. with decorations and hummed with preparations. We ate cookies and drank cider while we helped We ate cookies and drank cider while we helped her wrap bright packages and trim the tree. We her wrap bright packages and trim the tree. We felt warm and excited, listening to Christmas felt warm and excited, listening to Christmas carols and even singing along sometimes. We carols and even singing along sometimes. We would tease each other about our terrible voices would tease each other about our terrible voices and then sing even louder. and then sing even louder.

Mood:Mood: Content, happy. How do we know? Words Content, happy. How do we know? Words like "warm, excited, glittered” are used by the like "warm, excited, glittered” are used by the author.author.

MOOD EXAMPLEMOOD EXAMPLE

After New Year's the time came to put all the After New Year's the time came to put all the decorations away and settle in for the long, cold decorations away and settle in for the long, cold winter. The house seemed to sigh as we boxed winter. The house seemed to sigh as we boxed up its finery. The tree was dry and brittle, and up its finery. The tree was dry and brittle, and now waited forlornly by the side of the road to now waited forlornly by the side of the road to be picked up. be picked up.

Mood:Mood: Dreary, depressed. How do we know? Dreary, depressed. How do we know? "cold, sigh, brittle, forlornly""cold, sigh, brittle, forlornly"

MOODMOOD

Again, identifying the mood of a piece Again, identifying the mood of a piece of writing will depend on the number of writing will depend on the number of descriptive words you know to of descriptive words you know to answer the question: How did this answer the question: How did this paragraph, this passage, this story paragraph, this passage, this story make the character or make you make the character or make you feel?feel?

MOODMOODBrain Muscle Work-out, Volume Brain Muscle Work-out, Volume

II!II! CheerfulCheerful RelievedRelieved GloomyGloomy BleakBleak UncertainUncertain BittersweetBittersweet Relaxed Relaxed LazyLazy HopelessHopeless TenseTense

FuriousFurious DisappointedDisappointed Dreamy, foggyDreamy, foggy ContentContent SatisfiedSatisfied AngryAngry MotivatedMotivated InspiredInspired ConfidentConfident EerieEerie

Mood: “A Gift in His Shoes”Mood: “A Gift in His Shoes”Donovan and Larry were early for Donovan and Larry were early for

baseball practice. They decided to run up and baseball practice. They decided to run up and down the bleachers to exercise before the down the bleachers to exercise before the rest of the team arrived.rest of the team arrived.

Larry was first to the top. He whispered Larry was first to the top. He whispered to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to to Donovan, “Look over there.” He pointed to a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench a man sleeping on the highest, narrow bench of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were of the bleachers. His pants and shirt were faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. faded, worn, and too large for his thin frame. One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his One big toe stuck out of a huge hole in his sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet sock. His scraped-up shoes sat a few feet away.away.

Donovan whispered, “We should help Donovan whispered, “We should help him out. Let’s hide something good in his him out. Let’s hide something good in his shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have shoes. Then, when he wakes up, he will have a nice surprise.”a nice surprise.”

Mood: “A Gift in His Shoes”Mood: “A Gift in His Shoes”

How would you describe the mood of How would you describe the mood of this passage?this passage?

a.a. AngryAngry

b.b. DetachedDetached

c.c. SympatheticSympathetic

Evidence?Evidence?

Mood: “Where Can They Mood: “Where Can They Stay?”Stay?”About three million people have to look About three million people have to look

for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless for a place to sleep at night. Some homeless people have jobs but do not earn nearly people have jobs but do not earn nearly enough money for both food and shelter. enough money for both food and shelter. Some become homeless because they have Some become homeless because they have an unfortunate accident or lose their job. an unfortunate accident or lose their job. They do not have any back-up resources to They do not have any back-up resources to make it through the hard times. make it through the hard times.

The homeless face terrible problems. The homeless face terrible problems. Many become victims of violence. Serious Many become victims of violence. Serious health problems may begin because they are health problems may begin because they are exposed to bad weather and unclean exposed to bad weather and unclean conditions. Homeless children may miss the conditions. Homeless children may miss the chance to go to school. Worst of all, some chance to go to school. Worst of all, some cities pass laws that make it even harder on cities pass laws that make it even harder on the homeless.the homeless.

Mood: “Where Can They Mood: “Where Can They Stay?”Stay?”

How would you describe the mood of How would you describe the mood of this passage? CAN you describe the this passage? CAN you describe the mood of this passage?mood of this passage?

In non-fiction, expository (report-like) In non-fiction, expository (report-like) pieces of writing, there is usually not pieces of writing, there is usually not enough ‘hints’ to produce a mood for enough ‘hints’ to produce a mood for the reader. It’s just factual the reader. It’s just factual information. information. (Of course, this doesn’t mean it inhibits (Of course, this doesn’t mean it inhibits you to think about it! Again, “the power of pen has moved you to think about it! Again, “the power of pen has moved mountains.”)mountains.”)

It’s Now Time to Play the Number It’s Now Time to Play the Number One Television Game in America:One Television Game in America:

“Critic’s Corner!”“Critic’s Corner!” Directions:Directions:1.1. With a partner, choose two children’s With a partner, choose two children’s

books from the table.books from the table.2.2. Also, pick up from the table two copies of Also, pick up from the table two copies of

the Style, Tone, and Mood chart.the Style, Tone, and Mood chart.3.3. Take turns reading the books aloud with Take turns reading the books aloud with

your partner. Complete the charts to your partner. Complete the charts to identify s/t/m.identify s/t/m.

4.4. Each person then be prepared to present Each person then be prepared to present your your critique of the books on our your your critique of the books on our show, “Critic’s Corner!”show, “Critic’s Corner!”