WordValechiasmus
a phrase repeated in reverse grammatical order
In more detail
1. (noun) a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced by reversing their structures or words to create a striking effect
Examples
- 1. The famous phrase "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is a well-known example of chiasmus.
How to use chiasmus
Chiasmus is a technical term from rhetoric and literary analysis, used when discussing the structure and style of written or spoken language. It describes a specific inversion pattern rather than a general concept, so it appears primarily in academic, critical, and educational contexts. The term is valued for its precision in identifying how speakers and writers create memorable, balanced phrases.
Common phrases
- classic example of chiasmus
- chiasmus creates contrast
- use chiasmus for effect
- chiasmus in literature
Synonyms
antimetabole · parallelism · inversion
Word family
chiastic (adjective) · chiastically (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse chiasmus with other rhetorical devices like antithesis or parallelism; chiasmus specifically requires a reversal or mirror structure of grammatical elements, not merely parallel construction or opposition of ideas.
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