How does tone affect a reader's interpretation of a text?

Tone plays a crucial role in shaping how a reader interprets a text by influencing their emotional response. The tone conveys the author's attitude toward the subject matter and characters, which can evoke specific feelings in the reader. For example, a humorous tone might lead to laughter and a sense of lightheartedness, while a serious or somber tone could create feelings of empathy or sadness. This emotional engagement can enhance the reader's understanding and connection to the text, making the overall experience more impactful.

The other options do not capture the essence of how tone is interpreted by the reader. Providing a factual basis pertains to the arguments presented within the text but does not relate directly to tone. The length of the text is determined by various factors and not specifically by tone. Additionally, tone does not inherently signal whether a text is fiction or nonfiction; both types of texts can express a range of tones.