Final answer:
The reader's attitudes and expectations are chiefly directed through the skillful development of atmosphere, which is achieved through setting, tone, and detailed descriptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reader's attitudes and expectations are directed through the skillful development of characters, atmosphere, and plot. However, the answer to the question is a) atmosphere. Atmosphere in a narrative refers to the general mood or feeling that a work of literature creates for the reader, which is often established through details, description, and setting. Along with plot, which is the sequence of events that make up a story, and characterization, which is how characters are presented and developed through actions, descriptions, and dialogue, atmosphere plays a critical role in shaping readers' reactions and engagement with a narrative. The setting and the tone, which is the author's attitude toward the subject, can contribute significantly to creating a rich and vivid atmosphere that influences readers' experience.