The peritextual literacy framework: Using the functions of peritext to support critical thinking

•The peritextual literacy framework (PLF) elaborates Gérard Genette's theory of paratext.•The PLF categorizes six types of peritext that illuminate its function in referring to, supporting, and illuminating a text.•The functions of peritext are production, promotion, navigation, intratextual, supplementary, and documentation.•The PLF can support research, professional practice, and information literacy education.

The peritextual literacy framework (PLF) is a tool for accessing, evaluating, and comprehending the content of media using elements that frame the body of a work and mediate its content for the user. Paratextual elements are the focus of research in classification, bibliometrics, reader's advisory work, and in studies of authorship and publication. However, paratextual theory is just beginning to be acknowledged in LIS. The PLF closes a gap in paratext theory by categorizing the functions of peritext into six types: production, promotional, navigational, intratextual, supplemental, and documentary. The PLF is unique that it provides both a framework for further research on peritext, as well as a pedagogical tool that supports teaching in the areas of information literacy, media literacy and analysis, critical thinking, reading, and media design and production.