Asterismos

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Asterismos

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Asterismos is the use of a prefix word to draw attention to subsequent words.

Example

Behold, I come to show you the way.

Lo, they came upon the stable.

Listen, you are not helping!

Discussion

The prefix word effectively says 'look out, here's something important', thus verbally grabbing attention. It is followed by a comma that creates a pause, further creating a brief tension before launching into the main point.

Asterismos is common in Biblical passages and literary plays, where it is often used to signal an important point.

Classification: Meaning