James W. Cleary

The critical edition in rhetorical scholarship. A guide to its preparation

The methodology used in preparing critical editions of rare texts varies with the preferences of the editor and the demands of his publisher. The beginning scholar whose research leads him to edit a text significant in the history of rhetorical literature may find this variance perplexing, perplexing enough, perhaps, to cause him to retreat from his intended project. In the hope of unifying critical methodology in text editing and of encouraging historical research in rhetorical literature, the following guide is presented, a guide which suggests a procedure for structuring an introductory essay, presenting an edited text, and compiling a set of general notes.