The easiest way
to begin to access any
text, movie, video, song, poem
article, design, painting
or other artwork
is through mood.
Moods are something we all understand.
My three year old son
even has a pretty developed
sense of various moods.
Since we all understand moods,
as an access point into any artwork
(writing included-writers are artists)
we can simply ask,
“What’s the mood?”
and then use evidence
within the piece
to support our thinking.
(You can use my Access Lenses
to launch the thinking
and the conversation).
Determining and discussing
the mood can accomplish a lot.
For instance…
Discussing mood can take
viewers (readers) quickly
and simply into a conversation
about craft.
Figuring out what is causing the mood
and how and why moods change
also puts the viewer (reader) on a path
towards the theme(s).
Comparing and contrasting moods
within and across artworks is also
an efficient way to make
strong connections to help
viewers (readers) build understanding.
Well crafted artworks
(fiction and nonfiction
writing included)
are crafted around moods.
Explore them.
Realize them.
Watch them grow.
Notice them change.
Moods reveal a lot.
Revel in them.
It’s delightful.
Trevor (@trevorabryan)