Identifying Tone and Mood


Read Kevin's description of a dog below. Try to identify Kevin's tone and mood.


© Thinkstock




I nearly overlooked him: his dingy coat blended in with the house's exterior wall and the worn grey cement sidewalk. As I approached, he followed me with his eyes, but made no movement that he heard me, even though the wagon I pulled rattled loudly. I pulled the makeshift cart closer so I could transport him to safety. Snatching the coats hanging on the line outside, I made a bed for him; it was the least his owners could do after starving him to near death. Stooping, I whispered nonsense to him, softly stroking his rough fur. Patchy in places, crusted with filth in others. The knobby bones of his spine were stretching against his back. I wondered how his skin was not tearing open, it was so fragile. Gently scooping him up, I placed him on the wagon and began walking down the hill.



Possible labels for tone: lethargic, outraged, gloomy, upset, flippant, resigned, serious, impartial, outraged

Possible labels for mood: light-hearted, cold, lonely, optimistic, confident, warm, peaceful, vengeful, desolate, confident


The tone of Kevin's description is


The words that develop this tone are


The mood that is created in me is


The words that develop this mood are