What is the term for the implied attitude of a writer toward the subject or audience?

The term for the implied attitude of a writer toward the subject or audience is tone. Tone encompasses the emotional quality or mood conveyed through the writer’s choice of words, sentence structure, and overall style. It reflects how the author feels about the topic or the audience and influences the reader's perception and experience of the text.

For example, a writer might adopt a formal tone when discussing serious subjects, while a more casual tone might be used in entertaining or humorous writing. The tone can express a range of attitudes, such as optimism, sarcasm, anger, or affection, which all contribute to the deeper meaning of the work. Understanding tone is crucial in literary analysis as it helps readers discern not only what is being communicated but also how it is intended to be received by the audience.