Which term describes the author's attitude toward the subject in a literary work?

• A. Tone
• B. Plot
• C. Conflict
• D. Resolution

Answer: (A)

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, shown through word choice, sentence structure, and overall style. Recognizing tone helps you see how the author feels about the topic and how that feeling shapes the reader’s experience. The other terms describe different parts of a story: plot is what happens, conflict is the struggle or obstacle, and the resolution is how that struggle is settled. For example, a passage that uses ironic or playful language conveys a different tone than one that is formal and somber, even if the events described are similar.