Diction can influence tone because word choice shapes:

• A. Diction refers to the arrangement of clauses in a sentence.
• B. Diction is the author’s word choice that can influence tone.
• C. Diction is the use of rhythm in prose.
• D. Diction is the narrator's reliability.

Answer: (B)

Diction is about the author’s word choice, and that choice signals attitude and emotion, shaping how the reader feels about the subject. The specific words carry connotations and levels of formality, intensity, and imagery, so choosing formal terms can create a serious tone, while vivid or slangy words can make the tone more casual or intense. Because tone emerges from how the writer expresses ideas through word choice, diction is what drives that effect.

The other ideas describe different aspects of writing: arranging clauses in a sentence is syntax, which is about structure rather than word choice; rhythm or cadence relates to pace and sound rather than the actual words; and a narrator’s reliability concerns perspective and trustworthiness, not the choice of words used.