Analysis shows that the composition of Guwen Guanzhi is heavily based on a former anthology produced by an altogether different compiler. Though the "blueprint" has often been presumed to be the "imperial" anthology Guwen yuanjian (古文淵鑑), edited during early Qing dynasty under the personal supervision of the Kangxi Emperor, and including the standard commentaries required for the imperial examinations, this has proven not to be the case.Kallio, 21–22, 46–48. Instead, altogether almost 90% of the texts in Guwen Guanzhi originate from another Qing era anthology, Guwen xiyi (古文析義), often copied character by character. However, the notes and commentaries are all different.Kallio, 48–52.
