Abstract: The selection criteria of Selected Prose have always been a topic in this field and discussions on them can help us better understand Xiao Tong and his time. An analysis of the titles included in Selected Prose can shed some light on the criteria for their inclusion on both specific and profound bases. By exploring the reasons why Fan Qin’s Letter to Emperor Wen of Wei is included in stead of Reply to Fan Qin of Emperor Wen and comparing the latter with another included work of Cao Pi the same emperor-Letter to Wu Zhi, it can be seen that works rich in refined scholarly sentiment, beautiful but not boastful in style and using classic allusions instead of hearsay are preferred by Xiao Tong the compiler.

Key words: Selected Prose, inclusion criterion, Selected Prose of Gu Suijiang, Reply to Fan Qin