What is the effect of word choice on tone?

The correct answer highlights the significant role that word choice plays in establishing the tone of a text. Specific words carry connotations and emotional weight that can influence how a reader perceives the overall message. For instance, using words that are vivid and expressive can create a sense of urgency or excitement, while more subdued or formal terms can convey seriousness or a calm demeanor. This is crucial for writers as it allows them to align their language with the intended emotional resonance and overall atmosphere they wish to create within their writing.

The other options do not adequately capture the multifaceted relationship between word choice and tone. Focusing solely on length ignores the qualitative impact that language has; likewise, while factual accuracy is important, it does not pertain directly to tone. Finally, suggesting that word choice does not affect tone overlooks one of the fundamental principles of effective writing, which is to use language deliberately to provoke emotion and shape reader interpretation.