Thunder Clues

This descriptive reading worksheet helps students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 develop stronger literary analysis skills by examining how tone and mood are created through word choice, imagery, and sensory details. After reading a vivid storm passage, students highlight key phrases, organize evidence in a chart, and answer interpretive questions that reveal the author’s attitude and the emotional response shaped for the reader.

Learning Goals

• Tone & Mood Analysis (Grades 6-8)
  Students distinguish between the author’s attitude and the emotional atmosphere of a passage.
• Imagery & Figurative Language
  Learners analyze descriptive language and sensory details that shape meaning.
• Author’s Purpose & Attitude
  Students interpret how word choice reflects intent and perspective.
• Textual Evidence Use
  Responses require citing specific phrases to support interpretation.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with middle school ELA standards.
• Structured Evidence Collection
  Charts and guided questions support organized analytical thinking.
• Focus on Close Reading
  Encourages careful attention to language and detail.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for literary analysis lessons, skill practice, discussion prep, or homework.

This printable worksheet gives students meaningful practice with analyzing tone, mood, and imagery in descriptive texts. By examining how sensory details and figurative language influence reader experience, learners strengthen interpretive reading, vocabulary sensitivity, and evidence-based analysis. Suitable for classroom instruction or homeschool use, this no-prep resource supports deeper understanding of how authors use language to shape emotion and meaning.

This worksheet is part of our Grade 8 Reading Comprehension collection.