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Paratexts turn a text into a book: they are those (textual and non-textual) thresholds the reader comes across when entering the literary world. The preface, dedications, quotations (or motti ), cover illustrations, blurbs and of course the ever-present titles are among the most well-known ones. This thesis is of particular interest to all students and admirers of 18th-century English literature: the titles, motti, dedications and prefaces employed by the authors to present their work most favourably to the public not only provide a profound insight into a highly interesting literary field of study, but also give an idea of what the literary landscape was like in a century bustling with new ideas and (literary and other) activity.

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Alexander Zipper, Mag. phil.; diploma studies Anglistik/Amerikanistik (English studies) with combination of subjects Europe Languages, Economy and Law at the Karl- Franzens University of Graz (AUT); export assistant at the Legero GmbH in Graz.

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