Atmosphere/mood

Atmosphere/mood is the feeling that a story evokes. This is how you feel after reading a story. Atmosphere refers to the emotions invoked/applied in the reader as he/she reads a piece of writing. It is also the feeling, emotion, or mood a writer conveys to a reader through the description of the setting and objects. Though the atmosphere is established very quickly, it can change throughout the whole text.

Although mood and atmosphere are used interchangeably, there is a small difference. Mood is narrow as it concerns with the internal feelings of the individual(s), without incorporating the feelings/emotions radiating throughout the venue. On the other hand, atmosphere is usually those feelings/emotions felt by more people or applied to a certain spot or venue.

The feeling could be gloomy, happy, tense, sad, romantic, amused, critical, humorous, cynical, pessimistic, hostile, loving, hopeless, anxious, cheerful, reflective, sorrowful, disgusting, fearful, sarcastic, hopeful, sleepy, sympathetic, peaceful, disappointed, curious, ashamed …

Some types of atmosphere/mood

• Gloomy mood: It is an atmosphere of great unhappiness/sorrow and loss of hope.

• Happy mood is an atmosphere of joy/happiness.