What does ‘voice’ refer to in literature?

In literature, 'voice' primarily refers to the distinctive style or perspective of the author as expressed through their writing. This encompasses various elements such as tone, diction, syntax, and the rhythm of sentences, all of which contribute to the individual character of the written piece. An author's voice helps to shape the reader's experience and forms a connection between the text and its audience, establishing a unique atmosphere and conveying the author's personality and intentions.

While aspects like the subject matter of the text, character dialogue, and emotional responses are important elements of literature, they do not define 'voice' in the same way. The subject matter deals more with what the text is about, character dialogue with the conversations between characters, and emotional responses refer to how a text makes readers feel. Collectively, these elements may interact with the author's voice, but it is the voice itself that articulates the author's unique perspective and stylistic choices in the writing.