Redaction

Redaction refers to the editorial activity that produces a finished text from earlier materials. A redactor may select sources, arrange them in a particular order, add explanations or transitions, adjust wording, or omit material. The goal is not simply copying but shaping meaning through structure and emphasis. In literary and religious studies, redaction analysis examines how these editorial choices guide interpretation, highlight themes, or address the needs of a specific audience. Redaction helps explain why texts with shared sources can differ in focus, tone, or message.