In CARS, what is meant by 'authorial intent'?

• A. The author's personal preferences
• B. The specific audience the author targets
• C. The purpose or objective the author aims to achieve
• D. The author's writing style

Answer: (C)

The concept of 'authorial intent' refers to the purpose or objective that the author aims to achieve through their writing. This encompasses the motivations behind why a piece is written, including what the author hopes to communicate to the audience, persuade them to think or act in a certain way, or evoke specific emotional responses. Understanding the author’s intent is pivotal in CARS, as it allows readers to engage with the text on a deeper level, grasping not only the content but also the underlying messages and themes being presented.

In contrast to the other options, the author's personal preferences are more about individual tastes and are not directly related to the purpose of the text. Similarly, while identifying the specific audience the author targets is important, it is a secondary consideration that helps to clarify who the author is speaking to rather than the overall intent behind the writing itself. The author's writing style, including their choice of language and structure, plays a role in how the intent is conveyed but does not encapsulate what that intent is. Thus, recognizing the purpose or objective provides the clearest understanding of authorial intent.