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Chiasmus

 

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Chiasmus

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

Chiasmus is a reversal of words in consecutive phrases.

Example

She gave me hope and hopefully I gave my loyalty.

I thought you good, originally, but your originality is not that good.

He who sheds the blood of man, by man, shall his blood be shed -- Genesis 9.6

Discussion

The general pattern of chiasmus is A B, B A. This may be extended to multiple words and can even be ABCD, DCBA. The repetition of words may be in a different sense and with alternative individual, as well as collective, meaning.

Repetition acts as a form of emphasis, drawing attention through creation of a pattern of similar words. The confusion caused, forces the listener to review what was said in order to make sense of the full meaning. Its impact makes various forms of chiasmus popular with speech-makers.

Chiasmus includes antimetabole and anadiplosis, although the reverse is not true.

Chiasmus is also known as Epanodos.

Classification: Repetition, Reversal, Grammar

See also

 

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed