The Reflective Rhetoric

Worksheet Description

This worksheet, themed around the literary device chiasmus, provides a platform for students to delve into the intricacies of rhetorical reflection. It defines chiasmus and underscores its significance by noting that it is the concepts, not the exact words, which are inverted to create this effect. The worksheet presents quotes from notable figures such as Gandhi, Alfred P. Sloan, and Thomas Szasz, each embodying a chiasmus for students to analyze. Students are directed to explain the meaning and effect of each chiasmus, encouraging them to reflect on how the structure of these statements contributes to their overall impact.

The purpose of this worksheet is to teach students the art of interpreting chiasmus in various contexts. It aims to enhance students’ comprehension of how chiasmus can be used to emphasize key ideas and create a memorable impact within a text. Through the analysis of each example, students learn to discern the nuanced reversal of concepts that defines this rhetorical device. The exercise also helps students to appreciate the depth that such a literary figure can add to speech and writing, equipping them with a broader understanding of effective communication.