Mood and Tone
This lesson introduces the concepts of mood and tone, giving students opportunities to practice identifying these aspects in a text. Mood and tone are complex concepts. When introducing these concepts to the class, be sure to use examples from texts the students are already familiar with. Examples can be pulled from pop culture or texts covered previously in class. If students are already familiar with these terms, challenge them to analyze the difference between conveying mood and tone through visuals versus through text.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- define and identify the mood and tone of a text.
- collaboratively make meaningful connections between the text, the speaker, and the mood/tone.
- communicate their connections, providing evidence to support their connections.
- describe the importance of mood and tone in understanding a text.
Guiding Question
- How do graphic artists use visuals to establish the mood and tone of a graphic narrative?
Preparation
Have copies of the two handouts for the learners.
Introduction
Distribute the mood and tone literary devices reference sheet to students or project in the classroom.
Review the terms on the handout, discuss, and give examples from stories known to students.
Lesson Activities
Exploring Mood and Tone
NOTE: The following activity is based on the graphic narrative But I Live, however, if you do not have access to this book through your school or public library, this lesson can be adapted to work with any graphic narrative of your choice (for example, This Place: 150 Years Retold)
Students will be provided with excerpts from three narratives. They will identify the mood(s) and tone(s) in each, providing textual evidence to support their findings.
Distribute and explain the handout below on mood and tone. Work together as a class to determine the mood and tone of the excerpt from “A Kind of Resistance.” In groups of two or three, students will complete the remainder of the handout.
Once groups have completed identifying the mood and tone in their assigned texts, groups will share their findings with the class.
Conclusion
Review how to identify, describe, and discuss the mood and tone of graphic narratives. Suggest how this will be useful in reading graphic narratives – it will help them better understand other literature and media. As well, this will help them create an engaging atmosphere when writing and illustrating their own graphic narratives.
Extension
In a 200-word reflection paragraph, respond to the prompt: Why is today’s lesson on mood and tone important for comprehending, analyzing, and contextualising graphic narratives?
