What is tone in writing?

Tone in writing refers to the writer's attitude towards the subject matter, characters, or audience. It is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and the style of writing. The tone can vary widely—from formal to informal, serious to humorous, sympathetic to antagonistic. Understanding tone is essential because it shapes how readers perceive the argument or narrative and can significantly affect their emotional response to the work.

The other aspects mentioned in the options do not precisely define tone. For instance, the complexity of language may enhance or detract from tone but does not constitute the attitude itself. Similarly, while the emotions invoked in the reader are crucial to the overall impact of a piece, they are not directly indicative of the writer's attitude, which is what tone primarily communicates. Lastly, the length of the writing piece may influence a reader's engagement but is unrelated to the concept of tone, which is more about the style and attitude conveyed through the writing.