Tone Detective
"I cannot believe you broke my phone!"
Identify the author's or speaker's attitude.
Angry / Furious
The sun was shining, birds were singing, and children were laughing in the park.
Identify the emotion or feeling created for the audience.
Happy / Joyful / Peaceful
This describes the author's attitude toward the subject.
TONE
"The children giggled and danced under the bright sunshine." Identify TWO words that create a happy mood.
"giggled," "danced," or "bright sunshine"
Someone says, "Oh, that's just GREAT," while rolling their eyes. What is their tone?
Sarcastic / Annoyed
"Congratulations! I knew you could do it!"
Identify the author's or speaker's attitude.
Proud / Excited / Supportive
A loud crash came from the basement. The lights suddenly went out.
Identify the emotion or feeling created for the audience.
Scared / Nervous / Suspenseful
This describes how the reader feels while reading a story.
MOOD
"The old wooden door creaked open as footsteps echoed through the empty hallway." Identify TWO details that create suspense.
"creaked open," "footsteps echoed," or "empty hallway"
A horror movie trailer uses dark lighting, creepy music, and sudden loud noises. What mood is the creator trying to create?
Scary / Frightening / Suspenseful
"Oh, wonderful. Another homework assignment. Just what I needed."
Identify the author's or speaker's attitude.
Sarcastic / Annoyed
She sat alone in the empty cafeteria, watching everyone else laugh with their friends.
Identify the emotion or feeling created for the audience.
Lonely / Sad / Isolated
After reading the creepy description of an abandoned house, the audience feels frightened. Is "frightened" tone or mood?
MOOD — it describes the audience's feeling.
"She crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and muttered, 'Whatever.'" What TWO details show an annoyed tone?
"crossed her arms," "rolled her eyes," or "Whatever"
Two people say, "I'm so happy for you!" One sounds excited, and the other rolls their eyes. What causes the difference in tone?
How the words are said — voice, facial expressions, and body language.
"I know this seems difficult, but I believe you can succeed if you keep trying."
Identify the author's or speaker's attitude.
Encouraging / Hopeful / Supportive
The crowd held its breath as the basketball rolled around the rim with one second left on the clock.
Identify the emotion or feeling created for the audience.
Tense / Nervous / Suspenseful / Excited
The speaker uses a mocking attitude while talking about someone's mistake. Is "mocking" tone or mood?
TONE — it describes the speaker's attitude.
"The puppy bounced toward its owner, wagging its tail wildly and barking with excitement." Identify the mood AND TWO details that create it.
MOOD: Happy / Joyful / Excited.
EVIDENCE: "bounced," "wagging its tail," or "barking with excitement."
A character whispers, "Someone is watching us," while looking over their shoulder. Identify the tone and a possible mood.
TONE: Nervous / Fearful / Serious.
MOOD: Suspenseful / Uneasy / Anxious.
"You really think that was a good idea? Because clearly, it worked out SO well."
Identify the author's or speaker's attitude.
Mocking / Sarcastic / Critical
The clock struck midnight. A shadow moved across the wall, but no one was there. Then someone whispered her name.
Identify the emotion or feeling created for the audience.
Uneasy / Terrified / Suspenseful / Anxious
A narrator speaks in a cheerful, playful way, causing the audience to feel happy and entertained. Identify BOTH the tone and mood.
TONE: Cheerful / Playful.
MOOD: Happy / Entertained.
"The teacher sighed heavily, stared at the unfinished assignments, and quietly said, 'I expected better.'" Identify the tone AND TWO pieces of evidence.
TONE: Disappointed / Frustrated.
EVIDENCE: "sighed heavily," "stared at the unfinished assignments," or "I expected better."
A movie trailer originally uses bright colors, happy music, and laughing characters. The remix uses shadows, creepy music, and slow-motion scenes. Explain how the MOOD changes and identify TWO things that caused the change.
The mood changes from happy/cheerful to frightening/suspenseful.
Evidence: changes in music, lighting, editing, or scene selection.