A mood is a relatively long lasting emotional state. Moods differ from emotions in that they are less specific, less intense, and less likely to be triggered by a particular stimulus or event.emotional stateemotions

Moods generally have either a positive or negative valence. In other words, people typically speak of being in a good mood or a bad mood. Unlike acute, emotional feelings like fear and surprise, moods often last for hours or daysvalencefear surprise

Mood also differs from temperament or personality traits which are even longer lasting. Nevertheless, personality traits such as optimism and neuroticism predispose certain types of moods. Long term disturbances of mood such as depression and bipolar disorder are considered mood disorders. Mood is an internal, subjective state, but it often can be inferred from posture and other behaviorstemperamentpersonality traits optimismneuroticismdepressionbipolar disordermood disorders

Mood is a product of two dimensions: energy and tension. [2] A person can be energetic or tired while also being tense or calm. People feel best when they are in a calm-energy mood, and worst when in a tense-tired state. People often use food to regulate mood. [2]

Mood is considered to be a long lasting effect that makes a difference in the way you interact with people or external stimuli. "Moods are frequently described as more diffuse and nonspecific". [5] Moods are considered to be mild, different from the concept of an emotion. “Moods are most often described by their valence either positive or negative, happy or sad, good or bad or neutral”. [5] There are mainly two types of moods that people consider; these are positive mood and negative mood [5]

Positive mood can be caused by many different aspects of life as well as have certain effects on people as a whole. People seem to experience a positive mood when they have a clean slate, have had a good night sleep, and feel no sense of stress in their life. "Generally, positive mood has been found to enhance creative problem solving and flexible yet careful thinking". [7] Good mood is usually considered a displaced state; people cannot pinpoint exactly why they are in a good mood. [7]

Negative moods can affect an individual’s judgment and perception of objects and events. Negative moods have been connected with depression, anxiety, aggression, poor self esteem, physiological stress and decrease in sexual arousal. In some individuals, there is evidence that depressed or anxious mood may increase sexual interest or arousal. Negative moods, such as anxiety, often lead individuals to misinterpret physical symptomsanxietysexual arousal anxiety

The literary device ‘ mood ’ refers to a definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work. It refers to the mental and emotional disposition of the author towards the subject, which in turn lends a particular character or atmosphere to the work. The final tone achieved thus is instrumental in evoking specific, appropriate responses from the reader.

Mood is an emotion or feeling that a reader absorbs from a piece of literature. Since it is a literary element it must be described, it is wrong to use it simply as a noun. Here are some examples of mood: -sarcastic -patronizing -relaxed -dark -angry -reminiscent -fond -playful -childlike -moody -charming -influential -sardonic

In literature, the mood of a story is the atmosphere of the story. A love story might have a dramatic atmosphere, while a horror story might have a tense, fearful moody.

Example: In Erich Segal ’ s Love Story, the relationship of the two protagonists is handled with such beauty, delicateness and sensitivity that the reader is compelled to feel the trials and tribulations of the characters.