Which of the following signals a article's author’s purpose and tone?

• A. The length of the article
• B. Look at word choice, persuasive language, and the overall aim
• C. The color of the page
• D. The publication's subscription price

Answer: (B)

Purpose and tone show up in how the author uses language. The specific words chosen, the persuasive techniques employed, and the overall aim reveal what the writer wants you to do or feel—whether to inform, convince, or entertain—and the attitude they take toward the subject. Word choice and persuasive language signal the author’s stance and intensity, while the overarching goal ties those signals together into a clear purpose and tone.

The length of the article might affect how thoroughly something is covered, but it doesn’t by itself reveal the author’s purpose or their attitude. The color of the page or the publication’s subscription price don’t indicate the author's intent or mood either. So focusing on language—the words, how they’re framed, and the aims expressed—best signals the author’s purpose and tone.