Final answer:
The attitude of a writer towards a subject or audience, called tone, is conveyed through their writing style and diction. It reflects the emotional or intellectual stance of the writer and can range from informal to formal, or from sarcastic to playful. The tone is central to understanding the writer's perspective and how they engage with their audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience, often referred to as tone, is the emotional or intellectual stance they take as conveyed through their writing.
It manifests in the choice of words, or diction, and in the style of the writing, whether it be informal, formal, sarcastic, playful, or otherwise. The tone can serve various functions, from drawing the reader into the text, to provoking thought, to demonstrating the writer's stance on a subject.
Sometimes, an author's style can indicate their attitude toward the subject. An ironic, humorous, cold, or dramatic style can reveal much about the writer's perspective and intent.
Evaluating the introduction or early chapters of a work can often provide insights into the writer's assumptions and expected knowledge of their audience, thereby revealing the author's attitude.
Understanding the context in which the writer is operating, including their cultural background and target audience, is essential when trying to ascertain their stance.
Moreover, an author's technique in engaging the audience, such as using interesting statistics or compelling anecdotes, can also hint at their overall viewpoint and the tone they are employing to communicate it.