Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. - John F. Kennedy
One should eat to live, not live to eat - Cicero
All for one and one for all. - motto of The Three Musketeers
What do these phrases have in have in common?
They are examples of Chiasmus (pronounced kee · az · muhs or kai · az · muhs), where you take a phrase and flip it around. It's named after "chi," the ancient Greek word for the letter X. The X shape captures the structure of the chiastic shape.
The chiastic phrase has balance, element of surprise, and playfulness. It makes us rethink the relationship between things and ideas at the same time. It's a powerful tool for getting a point across.
Put your readers on and enjoy a few (40) more examples of chiasmus.
These can be fun to play with.
ReplyDeleteChiasmus....I've learned a new word today. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThese are fun and thought provoking.
ReplyDelete