English Literary Terms & Critical Reading Vocabulary Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

The term that describes the author's attitude toward the subject is tone. Tone is essential in literature as it conveys the author's feelings and perspectives, influencing how the audience interprets the work. An author may adopt a formal, sarcastic, enthusiastic, or somber tone, among others, to express their stance on the subject matter. Understanding the tone helps the reader grasp the nuances of the text and its emotional resonance.

Imagery, on the other hand, refers to the use of descriptive language that creates visual representations in the reader's mind, rather than conveying attitude. Point of view indicates the perspective from which a story is told, affecting how events are perceived but not directly expressing the author's attitude. Mood relates to the atmosphere or emotional setting created in the reader through the details and tone, influencing how the reader feels, but it does not denote the author's attitude itself.