Encyclopedia Sources
From the sources refers to content in the Encyclopedia of Arabic Rhetoric that is directly derived from primary or secondary sources of Arabic rhetorical theory. This includes definitions, classifications, examples, and explanatory statements that can be traced to a specific passage in a cited work.
Such content represents the inherited body of Arabic rhetorical knowledge as preserved in the classical and modern tradition of al-balāgha, which studies how meaning is conveyed effectively, beautifully, and persuasively through language.
Mechanism
Content classified as "From the sources" operates through direct transmission of knowledge from the rhetorical tradition.
It includes:
- Definitions stated explicitly in rhetorical works
- Classifications of devices and their subtypes
- Examples cited by classical or modern authors
- Explanations that closely follow source wording or meaning
Such content must:
- Be traceable to a specific cited passage (<ref>)
- Preserve the meaning of the source without extension
- Avoid introducing new terminology or conceptual distinctions not present in the source
Minimal paraphrase is permitted only where necessary to clarify wording, provided that no additional meaning is introduced.
Recognition
Content is considered "From the sources" when:
- It is supported by a specific citation (<ref>) pointing to a source
- It reproduces or closely paraphrases a definitional or explanatory statement from a source
- It reflects terminology and distinctions used in the sources themselves
- It does not introduce new analytical structure beyond what is explicitly stated
Conversely, content is not "From the sources" if:
- It reorganises or systematises multiple source statements into a new structure
- It introduces diagnostic tests, mechanisms, or terminology not explicitly stated in the sources
- It extends or generalises beyond the source material
Such content is instead classified as "Encyclopedia Interpretation".
Notes
- The "From the sources" category forms the evidential foundation of every rhetorical device entry in the encyclopedia.
- It ensures that all claims remain anchored in the rhetorical tradition, which developed through centuries of analysis, classification, and commentary on Arabic texts.
- The encyclopedia builds upon this foundation but does not replace it. Instead, it combines "From the sources" content with a controlled layer of interpretation in order to produce a structured analytical system.
- This approach aligns with the broader aim of the encyclopedia: not merely to compile rhetorical knowledge, but to organise it into a form suitable for systematic comparison, identification, and analysis. For the governing principles behind this distinction, see Design Principles of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Rhetoric.
Page history
- 2026-04-24 - Page created: Encyclopedia Sources.
