What is Atmosphere?
Atmosphere is the feeling or mood that
a story creates for the reader.
Writers create atmosphere using things such as
setting, descriptions, weather, sounds, lighting,
and word choice.
Think about how a place feels.
Does the story feel scary? Happy? Peaceful? Mysterious?
The feeling you get is the atmosphere.
How Writers Create Atmosphere
Setting
Where and when the story takes place can affect
how the reader feels.
Example: An abandoned house in the middle of
the woods can create a creepy atmosphere.
Weather
Weather can help create a particular mood.
Example: Cold rain and dark clouds can create
a gloomy atmosphere.
Sounds
Sounds can make a scene feel peaceful, exciting,
scary, or tense.
Example: Footsteps echoing through an empty
hallway can create suspense.
Lighting
Light and darkness can change how a scene feels.
Example: A room lit only by a flickering candle
can create a mysterious atmosphere.
Word Choice
Writers choose words that make the reader feel
a certain way.
Example: Words like "shadowy," "silent,"
and "whispering" can create a creepy atmosphere.