Mood
What is "mood" in literature?
The emotional atmosphere a piece of writing creates for the reader; how it makes you feel as you read.
Define "tone" in literature.
The author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject or the audience.
"Her smile was as bright as the sun." Name the type of figurative language.
Simile (a comparison using "like" or "as").
In the poem, the hiding place is tucked away "in dense trees." What does "dense" mean here?
Thickly grown, crowded closely together — hard to see through.
What is the "setting" of a story?
The time and place in which a story happens.
Name two words that could describe a gloomy mood.
Any two of: dark, sad, hopeless, eerie, heavy, depressing.
What's the key difference between mood and tone?
Mood is what the reader feels; tone is the attitude the author/speaker shows toward the subject.
"Time is a thief." Name the type of figurative language.
Metaphor (a direct comparison without "like" or "as").
The poem compares the poem itself to "a cabin or hogan." What figurative device is this?
Simile (using "like").
What is the term for the central message or lesson of a piece of writing?
Theme
What overall mood does "I Am Offering This Poem" create?
the reader feels loved
What tone does Baca create by repeating the line "I love you" throughout the poem?
A sincere, tender, affectionate tone.
"The wind whispered through the trees." Name the type of figurative language.
Personification (giving human qualities to something non-human)
How does the idea of needing "direction" connect to the larger purpose of the poem?
The poem itself is meant to act as a guide, something to turn to for comfort when life feels confusing.
Name one example of imagery from "I Am Offering This Poem."
Any sensory detail from the poem — e.g., a warm coat, thick socks, a pot of yellow corn, a scarf, a fire.
Which word choice creates a mood of comfort: "cold, empty room" or "warm fire, soft blanket" — and why?
To make you feel safe.
A writer uses exaggerated, mocking word choices to describe someone. What tone is this?
A sarcastic or mocking tone.
"I've told you a million times to clean your room." Name the type of figurative language.
Hyperbole (extreme exaggeration for effect).
What does the specific choice of the word "hogan" reveal about the speaker's background or values?
a deep connection to home
What's the main difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile compares using "like" or "as"; a metaphor states the comparison directly, without "like" or "as."
A passage describes a dark, empty hallway with flickering lights and a low creaking sound. What mood does this create?
An eerie, suspenseful, or frightening mood.
How can an author's word choice (diction) reveal tone? Give an example of two words with the same meaning but a different attitude.
Open response
Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) is called ___. Give an example using one of the five senses.
Imagery.
Open Response
If Baca had written "sparse trees" instead of "dense trees," how would the feeling of the poem change?
it would feel more exposed and less protected; "dense" makes the hiding place feel safer and more concealed.
Why do authors use figurative language instead of just stating things literally?
it creates vivid images, evokes emotion, makes writing more interesting, and helps readers connect ideas in a memorable way.