What is a text? A text is not solely composed of words on a page. If we break down all of its elements, we can also include the title of the text, the copyright page, and the preface. We may even note the paper itself, the ink, or the binding. In literary studies, this is called the paratext, or what’s around the body of the text itself. The paratext provides context for the work, as well as necessary attributions and citations.