Diction, Tone, and Mood in The House on Mango Street
Name:_____________________________________________________ Date:________________ Period:________
Directions: Refresh yourself on the following questions.
Diction, Tone, Mood (HOW) Diction is the author's word choice. All authors use diction, just as all painters use paint
and all composers use notes; however, authors use specific kinds of diction to convey a
specific theme.
Tone is how authors convey an attitude or opinion about a subject to the readers. This
might not actually be the author's opinion, but it is an opinion.
**Mood is the atmosphere of a literary piece which evokes feelings or “vibes” in a
reader. Mood is developed through other literary elements and devices.
Directions: Answer the following questions. You do not have to answer in complete sentences—you merely need to jot
down notes for discussion.
1) Choose one vignette. How would you describe Sandra Cisneros’ diction in this particular vignette? Use specific
adjectives to describe her diction. How does her diction help to convey her theme?
2) Choose one vignette. How would you describe Sandra Cisneros’ tone about a particular subject in this piece?
Use specific adjectives to describe her tone. How does this tone help her to convey the particular theme of
the vignette?
3) Choose one vignette. How would you describe the mood Sandra Cisneros’ is evoking (making the reader feel)
in this piece? Use specific adjectives to describe the mood. How does she use other literary elements to evoke
this mood?