Which element most directly expresses an author's attitude toward the subject?

• A. Paragraph length
• B. Headings
• C. Word choice
• D. Factual data

Answer: (C)

Attitude or tone comes from the words the author selects. Word choice carries the connotations and emotional color that reveal how the writer feels about the topic. For example, describing a scene as “thriving and vibrant” versus “overcrowded and decaying” shows a positive or negative attitude. Other elements like paragraph length affect rhythm, headings organize information, and factual data presents information without revealing feelings. So, the element that most directly expresses the author's attitude is word choice.