Final answer:
A plot that reinforces the story’s message is the literary element most often used as a persuasive tool because it can act as a stand-in for actual events and persuasively guide the reader's understanding. So the correct answer is Option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element of literature that is most often used as a persuasive tool is a plot that reinforces the story’s message. This is because the plot can act as a stand-in for real-world events, allowing the author to craft a narrative that supports the theme and compels the reader towards a specific viewpoint or understanding. Not only does the plot push the story forward, but it also strategically uses action, engaging language, and careful sentence structure to influence the reader's thoughts and emotions.
In addition to a strong plot, the use of details related to the story's setting can immerse the reader in the environment and context of the narrative, further persuading them by making the story more credible and relatable. Furthermore, authors often employ carefully chosen language to invoke specific reactions from the audience, using vivid descriptions and constructing sentences that convey nuanced meanings and subtexts.