Analyzing Word Choice to Uncover Mood

Read this passage silently Read this passage silently. Be ready to discuss the word choices that help establish the author’s tone. “You must be my sister’s boy,” the blacksmith growled. “If you are, you’re here to work. Pump the bellows.” At noon, Nathan collapsed beneath the maple tree. He ached from bending and stretching at the bellows and turning the grindstone as his uncle sharpened the ax head. Uncle Orrin dropped bread and cheese into Nathan’s lap. Nathan gulped the food and drank from the bucket of creek water. All afternoon Uncle Orrin barked orders. When he tossed bread and cheese to his nephew for supper, Nathan was too tired to lift it to his mouth. “Eat!” Uncle Orrin roared. “There’s work to do.” As the sun set, Uncle Orrin took off his leather apron. “Another bucket of water, boy.”

On a scratch piece of paper, write down your answer to this question. “All afternoon Uncle Orrin barked orders.” What does the word barked mean in the sentence above? A. to speak with a weakened voice B. to yap senselessly like a dog C. to give a loud, dry cough D. to talk sharply or roughly

Since everyone reacts emotionally to certain words, writers often deliberately select words that they think will influence your reactions and appeal to your emotions. Take these two poems…

ROACHES Last night when I got up to let the dog out I spied a cockroach in the bathroom crouched flat on the cool porcelain, delicate antennae probing the toothpaste cap and feasting himself on a gob of it in the bowl: I killed him with one unprofessional blow, scattering arms and legs and half his body in the sink... I would have no truck with roaches, crouched like lions in the ledges of sewers their black eyes in the darkness alert for tasty slime, breeding quickly and without design, laboring up drainpipes through filth to the light;

When I read this poem… The word roaches made me think of slimy, dirty, nasty bugs taking over the earth! Yuck!

How about this poem? from Nursery Rhymes for the Tender-hearted Scuttle, scuttle, little roach- How you run when I approach: Up above the pantry shelf Hastening to secrete yourself. Most adventurous of vermin, How I wish I could determine How you spend your hours of ease, Perhaps reclining on the cheese. Cook has gone, and all is dark- Then the kitchen is your park; In the garbage heap that she leaves Do you browse among the tea leaves? How delightful to suspect All the places you have trekked: Does your long antenna whisk its Gentle tip across the biscuits?

Help me finish this sentence… When I read this poem, the word roach makes me think of…

Now you will work with your partner to analyze the word choice used in these poems. Directions: While reading the poem again, search for the most descriptive words or phrases that the author uses which contribute to the overall tone and mood of the story. Record your findings below.   Words and/or phrases that are used to create visual imagery: Words that have strong connotations: Vivid verbs:    Words and/or phrases that contribute to the overall mood of the selection: