Tone, Mood, and Point of View

Think about the movies and TV shows that you have seen: what techniques were used to create a jovial, happy atmosphere or a sad, scary one? Things like weather, colors, and background music help create a certain mood for an audience. Writers do the same thing, only they use words and actions. A story's tone and mood are essential to its plot because they help shape how the reader responds to what he or she has read.

As you are learning, there is more to a short story than simply words on a page. You have to consider more than just the basic plot and setting of a story to truly understand the author’s point and purpose. Elements such as conflict, characters, plot, setting, tone, and mood all work together to create a “good story”. The way a story is told, or the perspective from which it is told, is just as important as the settings and characters in the story. In this topic, you will also examine the concept of point of view.

As part of your study, you will read Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado." In this short story, Poe artfully uses specific word choices and actions to set a sinister tone. In addition, this story is told from the point of view of a character so focused on revenge that he commits an unspeakable act.

Essential Questions

• What is tone, and why is it important to plot?
• What is mood, and why is it important to plot?
• What are the different points of view used in literature?