metatext
Writing discussing writing
Metatext is text that refers to or comments on other text rather than standing on its own.
A book's introduction discussing its structure, footnotes explaining sources, or commentary analyzing a poem are all metatext.
The prefix meta- signals this self-referential quality—text about text.
The metatext overwhelmed the primary document.
Added explanatory comment
- glossShine or annotation
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- marginaliaNotes in page edges
- footnoteCitation at page bottom
endnote · preface · introduction · afterword · critique · reflection · evaluation · appraisal
Study of interpretation methods
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- meaningWhat something signifies
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- readingInterpreting written text
semiotics · signification · connotation · implication · inference · sensemaking · deconstructionism
Mention of a source
- bibliographyList of cited works
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
cross-reference · hyperlink · allusion · quotation · attribution · source · acknowledgment · intertext
Pointing to oneself
- metafictionLiterature aware of itself
- epistolaryPertaining to letter-writing
annotation
Added explanatory comment
- glossShine or annotation
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- marginaliaNotes in page edges
footnote · endnote · preface · introduction · afterword · critique · reflection · evaluation · appraisal · review
hermeneutics
Study of interpretation methods
- exegesisCritical textual interpretation
- meaningWhat something signifies
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
reading · semiotics · signification · connotation · implication · inference · sensemaking · deconstructionism
citation
Mention of a source
- bibliographyList of cited works
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
- appendixSupplementary section after main text
glossary · cross-reference · hyperlink · allusion · quotation · attribution · source · acknowledgment · intertext · epigraph
self-reference
Pointing to oneself
- metafictionLiterature aware of itself
- epistolaryPertaining to letter-writing
metatextsource text
Origin of quoted content
body text · narrative · story · original text · content