For over two decades, “A Guide To Documentary Editing” has served as an essential resource for academic editors, aspiring editors, readers of documentary editions, and those studying American history and literature. This extensively revised edition of the Guide emerges amidst significant changes in the field, notably the growing importance of electronic technology in the editing workflow. This guide provides an up-to-date exploration of the core aspects of documentary editing.
This guide encompasses source identification and collection, transcription techniques, established conventions for handling texts, management of non-textual elements, and preparing editions for publication. Reflecting the dynamic nature of documentary editing, the authors include real-world examples that demonstrate the Guide’s principles in practice.
A key innovation in this edition is its digital component. The entire content is accessible online through a dedicated website, offering convenient access, hyperlinks to relevant literature, and an archive of material from previous editions. Crucially, the online edition is designed for regular revisions and updates, ensuring the Guide remains current with best practices in documentary editing. The online edition is available at http://gde.upress.virginia.edu.
Key Elements of Documentary Editing
Documentary editing is a multifaceted process requiring precision, critical thinking, and a thorough understanding of historical context. Here’s a deeper dive into its critical elements:
Locating and Collecting Sources
Identifying and gathering relevant source materials is the bedrock of any documentary editing project. This involves meticulous research across various archives, libraries, and private collections.
- Archival Research: Familiarize yourself with archival databases and research methodologies to efficiently locate relevant documents.
- Source Evaluation: Assess the reliability and authenticity of potential sources. Consider factors like provenance, authorship, and intended audience.
Transcribing Source Texts
Accurate transcription is crucial for preserving the integrity of original documents. Editors must develop skills in deciphering handwriting, understanding archaic language, and rendering texts faithfully.
- Transcription Conventions: Adhere to established transcription conventions to ensure consistency and clarity. This may involve indicating deletions, insertions, or uncertain readings.
alt: A close-up view of the handwritten United States Declaration of Independence, showcasing transcription challenges in documentary editing.
- Accuracy and Fidelity: Prioritize accuracy above all else. Double-check transcriptions against the original documents to minimize errors.
Conventions of Textual Treatment
Documentary editors make informed decisions about how to present source texts to modern readers. This involves applying established conventions for dealing with variations, emendations, and annotations.
- Annotation Practices: Use annotations judiciously to provide context, clarify ambiguities, and explain editorial decisions.
- Textual Variants: Handle textual variants (differences between multiple versions of a document) in a transparent and consistent manner. Explain the rationale behind chosen emendations.
Dealing with Nontextual Elements
Documentary editing often extends beyond purely textual materials to encompass maps, photographs, illustrations, and other nontextual elements. Editors must consider how to integrate these elements into the edition effectively.
- Image Reproduction: Ensure high-quality reproductions of visual materials. Provide descriptive captions that contextualize the images within the broader narrative.
alt: A vintage map showcasing cartographic elements, relevant for documentary editing projects involving geographical context.
- Metadata Standards: Apply appropriate metadata standards to describe and categorize nontextual materials.
Preparing Editions for Publishers
The final step involves preparing the edited materials for publication. This includes adhering to publisher guidelines, obtaining permissions, and creating indexes.
- Copyright Considerations: Ensure compliance with copyright laws when reproducing copyrighted materials. Obtain necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Indexing: Create comprehensive indexes that allow readers to easily navigate the edition and locate specific topics or individuals.
Each edition of the Guide has become the standard reference for scholarly editors working with correspondence, journals, diaries, financial records, professional papers, and unpublished manuscripts. This print/digital edition is presented in its most dynamic and useful form to date.
Published in association with the Association for Documentary Editing.
