Anacephalaeosis

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Anacephalaeosis

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Anacephalaeosis is a recapitulation or summary of the facts in a situation or argument.

Example

So, to summarize: You will take David, I will take Jennifer and we'll meet at 7pm.

She is the best I have heard, she is consistent and I am sure she will win.

Discussion

A summary provides an opportunity to do two important things in an argument. First, it allows you to remind others of the key points, repeating and emphasizing these. It may also draw a line under the argument, saying 'this is the end' and effectively forbidding anyone else from contradicting you.

Anacephalaeosis is also spelled 'Anakephalaeosis'. It comes from the from Greek 'ana' meaning 'back' and 'cephale', meaning 'head'.

Classification: Repetition.