Which of the following describes 'tone' in a piece of writing?

The term 'tone' in a piece of writing refers specifically to the author's attitude toward the subject or audience. Tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and other stylistic elements, and it can significantly influence how a reader interprets a text. For instance, a tone can be formal, informal, sarcastic, optimistic, or somber, among others. This attitude shapes the reader's experience and understanding of the themes and emotions within the work.

Understanding tone is crucial because it helps readers grasp the nuances of a text, including underlying messages or feelings that might not be explicitly stated. In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of literature: mood is about the reader's feelings, setting pertains to the environment in which the story occurs, and chronological order relates to the sequence of events. Each of these elements plays a role in storytelling, but they do not encapsulate the author's attitude like tone does.