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

The term that describes the attitude of a writer towards a subject or audience is tone. Tone reflects how the writer feels about the topic at hand and can be conveyed through word choice, phrasing, and the level of formality. For instance, a writer could adopt a serious, humorous, sarcastic, or sympathetic tone, which helps to establish a connection with the reader and affects how the message is received.

Mood, while related, refers to the emotional atmosphere of a piece and how it makes the reader feel, rather than the writer's attitude. Diction pertains specifically to the choice of words and phrases in writing, which contributes to tone but does not encompass the broader attitude itself. Style encompasses the overall manner of expression in writing, including elements such as syntax, structure, and figurative language, which also influences tone but does not define it.