What term describes the author's distinct style of writing?

The term that describes the author's distinct style of writing is "voice." An author's voice encompasses the unique way they express themselves, which includes their choice of words, sentence structure, rhythm, and overall narrative style. This voice is what sets an author apart from others, giving their work a recognizable and personal touch that can evoke specific feelings or responses from readers.

In literature, an author's voice can be warm and inviting, sharp and critical, or whimsical and playful, and it often reflects their personality, experiences, and views. The effectiveness and appeal of a piece of writing are deeply influenced by the author's voice, making it a crucial element in understanding and analyzing texts.

While other terms like theme, tone, and perspective play important roles in literature, they focus on different aspects. Theme refers to the central ideas or messages conveyed in a text, tone reflects the author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience, and perspective is about the viewpoint from which a story is told. Each of these elements contributes to the overall experience of a work but does not define the author's distinct style as clearly as "voice" does.