What is a chiasmus?

A chiasmus is a rhetorical and literary technique that involves the reversal of the order of words or phrases in a sentence. This structure often creates a memorable and impactful way of emphasizing a particular idea or theme. An example of chiasmus can be found in the phrase "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," where the order of the structure enhances the meaning and makes it more persuasive.

This technique relies on the use of parallelism in its construction, where the second half of the phrase is a mirror image of the first half. This mirroring can create a strong effect in writing or speech, making the message more engaging and thought-provoking. Understanding chiasmus enriches one's appreciation of language and its expressive power, especially in literature and rhetoric.