Which term refers to the author's attitude towards the subject they are writing about?

The term that accurately refers to the author's attitude towards the subject they are writing about is tone. Tone encompasses the emotions and feelings that the author conveys through their choice of words, sentence structure, and overall writing style. It reflects how the author feels about the topic, whether it's serious, humorous, sarcastic, or sympathetic, and plays a crucial role in shaping the reader's understanding and emotional response to the text.

Understanding tone allows readers to grasp not just the surface meaning of the text but also the underlying sentiments and perspectives the author intends to communicate. For example, a critical tone may suggest disapproval of a subject, while a celebratory tone might convey joy and approval. It is this nuanced expression of attitude that distinguishes tone from related concepts like mood, theme, or style, which focus on different aspects of writing.

Mood, for instance, relates to the emotional atmosphere that the text creates for the reader, while theme refers to the central ideas or messages conveyed in the work. Style is about the author’s distinctive way of using language, including their choice of words and sentence structure. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why tone is specifically linked to the author's attitude.