What is the author's intent to inform, entertain, or persuade called?

The author's intent to inform, entertain, or persuade is known as the author's purpose. This term encapsulates the reason why an author writes a particular piece, allowing readers to better understand the motivation behind the text. Recognizing the author's purpose can enhance comprehension and engagement with the material, as it reveals what the author aims to convey and how they hope the audience will react.

The other terms have distinct meanings that do not align with the concept of intent. Theme refers to the central idea or underlying message of a piece of literature, while voice relates to the unique style or expression of the author in the writing. Point of view describes the perspective from which the story is told, including the narrator's vantage point. Each of these terms represents a different aspect of literary analysis, but none capture the essence of an author's intent as clearly as the phrase author's purpose.