Which sentence represents more effective writing?

The second sentence, which states that "John's usual punctuality made today's absence surprising," exemplifies more effective writing because it is concise, direct, and clearly conveys the intended meaning. It efficiently states the relationship between John's typical behavior and the unexpected nature of his absence without unnecessary qualifiers or passive constructions. The use of the word "surprising" captures the emotional response to the situation succinctly.

In comparison, the first option is less effective due to its wordiness and vague phrasing. The construction "The fact that" weakens the statement and makes it more cumbersome than needed. The third option is also straightforward but lacks some nuance about the emotional impact of John's absence. Lastly, the fourth option correctly conveys that something is out of the ordinary, but it is less specific about the implications of that unusual behavior regarding John's absence. Overall, the second sentence stands out for its clarity and effectiveness in communicating the core idea.