English First Additional Language - Term 2 - Week 9

Imagine you’re on a minibus taxi from Soweto to Johannesburg. The driver jokes with passengers, music plays, and everyone laughs—what’s the feeling in the air? That’s mood. Now, if the driver suddenly shouts at someone for not paying, his voice changes—his attitude is the tone. In stories, mood is the atmosphere created for the reader, while tone is the writer’s or character’s attitude. For example, in a story where Thandi walks home during load-shedding, the mood might be tense or fearful, while the narrator’s tone could be sympathetic or anxious. Many learners mix up tone and mood. Remember: mood is what you feel, tone is how the writer or character feels. If you can describe the feeling you get while reading, that’s the mood. If you can describe how the writer or character seems to feel about what’s happening, that’s the tone. This difference is crucial for answering exam questions correctly.

Let’s look at a short story set in Khayelitsha: Sipho waits for his mother in the dark, hearing distant sirens and dogs barking. The mood is uneasy and tense. The writer’s tone, shown through word choices like ‘nervously’ and ‘shivered’, is anxious. If the writer described the scene with words like ‘hopeful’ or ‘excited’, the mood would change. Exam questions often ask you to quote words that create mood or tone. For example, if asked, 'Identify a word that creates a fearful mood,' you might choose ‘shivered’. Always back up your answer with evidence from the text. Remember, the same setting can have different moods and tones depending on the words the writer uses. This is why paying attention to word choice is so important.

Think of a Springboks rugby match on TV. If the commentator’s tone is excited, you feel pumped. If he sounds bored, you lose interest. In stories, tone and mood guide how we understand characters and events. A sarcastic tone can make us doubt a character’s honesty. A sad mood can make us sympathise with their struggles. For NSC Paper 1, you might be asked, 'Explain how the tone influences your understanding of the character.' Always link your answer to the text. A common mistake is giving vague answers like 'the tone is sad.' Instead, say, 'The tone is sad, shown by words like “wept” and “lonely”, which make us feel sorry for the character.' This approach shows you understand both the technique and its effect, which is what examiners look for.

Many learners think tone and mood are the same. They are not. Tone is the author’s or character’s attitude, while mood is the feeling created for the reader. For example, in a story about Ahmed losing his wallet at a taxi rank, the tone might be frustrated, but the mood could be tense or anxious. If you mix these up in an exam, you might lose marks. Always ask: Who is feeling this—the writer or the reader? That will help you decide. Another misconception is that tone and mood never change. In fact, both can shift throughout a story, especially as events unfold. Watch out for these changes and be ready to explain them in your answers.

Step 1: Read the extract: 'Lerato walked home through the empty streets of Mthatha. The wind howled, and distant thunder rumbled.' Step 2: Look for words that create atmosphere—'empty', 'howled', 'thunder'. Step 3: Ask yourself, 'How does this make me feel as a reader?' The mood is eerie or tense. Step 4: Write your answer: 'The mood is tense, created by words like “howled” and “thunder”.' Step 5: Check your answer: Does your answer link to the words in the text and explain the feeling? Yes. Final answer: The mood is tense, supported by evidence. This approach ensures you get full marks for mood questions.

Step 1: Read the sentence: 'Sipho muttered, “Of course the lights would go off now. Just my luck.”' Step 2: Focus on word choice and punctuation—'muttered', 'just my luck'. Step 3: Ask, 'What is Sipho’s attitude?' He sounds frustrated and sarcastic. Step 4: Write your answer: 'The tone is sarcastic and frustrated, shown by the phrase “just my luck”.' Step 5: Check your answer: Did you explain how you know and use evidence from the text? Yes. Final answer: The tone is sarcastic and frustrated, with evidence. This method helps you avoid vague answers and score higher.

Question: In a story set in Durban, Ahmed sits by the beach, watching the waves crash as grey clouds gather. What is the mood? Let’s think: The beach is usually relaxing, but grey clouds and crashing waves suggest something else. The mood feels gloomy or tense. Model answer: 'The mood is gloomy, created by “grey clouds” and “crashing waves”.' Now you try: In a story, Thandi hears sirens and sees flashing blue lights outside her window at midnight. What is the mood? Think about the words used and how they make you feel. Answer: The mood is tense or anxious, created by 'sirens' and 'flashing blue lights'. Always use evidence from the text.

Question: Lerato says, 'Oh great, another power cut. Just what I needed.' What is her tone? Think: Is she happy or annoyed? The words 'oh great' and 'just what I needed' are sarcastic. Model answer: 'The tone is sarcastic and annoyed, shown by her choice of words.' Your turn: Sipho says, 'Fantastic, now my phone is dead too.' What is his tone? Consider how he feels and the words he uses. Answer: The tone is sarcastic and frustrated. Remember, the tone is about the speaker’s attitude, not the reader’s feeling.

1. List two words from a story that create a happy mood. For example, 'laughter' and 'sunshine.' 2. Identify the tone in this sentence: 'She whispered, “I can’t believe this is happening.”' Is it shocked, sad, or excited? 3. Define 'mood' in your own words, explaining how it relates to the reader’s feelings.

1. Find a sentence from a story that shows a hopeful tone and explain your choice. 2. Explain how the mood changes when the setting shifts from day to night in a township scene. 3. Give an example of a sarcastic tone from a character in a township setting, and describe how you know it’s sarcastic.

1. Analyse how tone and mood work together to create meaning in a story about a minibus taxi strike in Polokwane. Use at least two pieces of evidence from the text. 2. Justify your answer with evidence from the text, explaining how the writer’s attitude and the reader’s feelings are shaped. 3. Write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) describing a scene with a tense mood and a hopeful tone. Make sure to use specific words that show both.

• Joyful
• Tense
• Excited
• Bored

Answer: Tense

Words like 'pounded' and 'waited alone' create a tense atmosphere. Many learners choose 'bored' or 'excited' because they focus on the action, but the context and word choice make the mood tense. Always look for clues in the words that describe the setting and feelings.

• Grateful
• Annoyed
• Hopeful
• Calm

Answer: Annoyed

'Grumbled' and the complaint show annoyance, not gratitude or hope. Some learners pick 'calm' because the sentence is short, but the word 'grumbled' signals a negative attitude.

• Tone is the reader’s feeling; mood is the writer’s attitude.
• Tone is always positive; mood is always negative.
• Tone is the writer’s or character’s attitude; mood is the feeling created for the reader.
• Tone and mood mean the same thing.

Answer: Tone is the writer’s or character’s attitude; mood is the feeling created for the reader.

This is the correct distinction. Many learners confuse the two, but tone is about the writer or character, while mood is about the reader. The other options are incorrect or oversimplified.

• The sun shone brightly as children laughed in the park.
• The wind howled through the empty streets.
• Dark clouds gathered over the city.
• She sighed and stared at the broken window.

Answer: The sun shone brightly as children laughed in the park.

Bright sun and laughter create a cheerful mood, unlike the other options which use words that create negative or sad feelings. Many learners choose the first option correctly, but always check for positive words.

• Just what I needed, another test during load-shedding.
• I am so grateful for your help.