Discuss the tone used by the author. Answer promptly.

When discussing the tone taken by an author, you are referring to the author's attitude towards the subject matter or the audience. The tone is conveyed through the choice of words and the style of writing. It can vary widely—serious, humorous, formal, informal, satirical, somber, and many others.

To determine the tone of a text, consider the following steps:

1. Look at the choice of words: Are they positive or negative? Are they simple or complex? Do they carry connotations that influence how the subject is presented?

2. Evaluate the sentence structure: Is it complex, with lots of subordination, or simple and direct? This often gives insights into the author's approach to the subject.

3. Consider the context: What is happening in the text? How might the events influence the tone of the writing?

4. Identify the audience: For whom is the author writing? The tone will often change depending on whether the audience is children, peers, experts, or a general audience.

5. Reflect on the purpose: What is the author trying to achieve with the text? Are they trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or express themselves? This purpose will also affect tone.

By analyzing these elements of the text, you can form an understanding of the tone the author has taken.