Which of the following describes a literary element that enhances the emotional response in readers?

Tone is the correct choice because it refers to the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, which can significantly influence how readers emotionally engage with the text. The tone can convey feelings such as sadness, joy, anger, or irony, thereby shaping the reader’s emotional response. For instance, a somber tone may evoke feelings of compassion or sadness, while an upbeat tone can create a sense of happiness or excitement. This element is crucial in creating a connection between the text and the reader's emotions, enhancing the overall impact of the literary work.

While style can also affect the reader's experience, it encompasses broader aspects like sentence structure and figurative language rather than focusing specifically on emotion. Diction, which pertains to word choice, plays a role in conveying tone and style, but it does not inherently evoke an emotional response on its own. Theme, the underlying message or purpose of a work, can provoke thought and emotion but does not directly influence the emotional tone in the same immediate way that tone does.