Which term describes how the author conveys their attitude in the writing?

The term that best describes how the author conveys their attitude in their writing is tone. Tone reflects the author's perspective, feelings, or stance towards the subject matter or the audience. It is established through various elements such as word choice, sentence structure, and the overall style of writing. An author might employ a formal tone to convey seriousness, a conversational tone for accessibility, or a sarcastic tone to suggest criticism, among many others.

Understanding tone is crucial for readers as it helps to interpret not only what is being said but also how it is being communicated, influencing the reader’s emotional response. While style relates to the arrangement of words and the overall presentation of the writing, and voice represents the individual style of the author, tone specifically focuses on the emotional and attitudinal aspect within the written work. Mood, on the other hand, pertains to the atmosphere and emotional setting invoked within the reader, rather than the author's intended attitude.