Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Add power and persuasion to your books, articles, and one-sheets

Chiasmus: When Words Mirror Each Other in a Sentence

by 2 Comments

by Barbara McNichol

Using figures of speech in our writing make it fun. Truly my favorite figure of speech is the chiasmus­ (ky-AZ-mus). That’s when words in a sentence mirror each other.

Politicians have made them famous (e.g., Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. – John F. Kennedy). Experts have made them accessible and even fun (e.g., Dr. Mardy Grothe’s book: Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You: Chiasmus and a World of Quotations That Say What They Mean and Mean What They Say)

My contribution to the joy of words is a 4-page Chiasmus Collection I’d like to share. Simply email me with Chiasmus Collection in the subject line.

The ones I’ve included come from years of gleaning them from authors, clients, and subscribers in my daily editing work.

A few choice examples:

It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old; they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams. – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Write only what you love, and love what you write. – Ray Bradbury

New York is the perfect model of a city, not the model of a perfect city. – Sir Lewis Mumford

What is your favorite chiasmus? Share it here!

Request my 4-page Chiasmus Collection.

 

Holiday Gift-Giving Ideas for Lovers of Language in Your Life

by Leave a Comment

With holiday gift-giving upon us, what could you give to the writer, student, business professional, or English language learner in your world? I have three excellent suggestions: Word Tripper Tips, Rev It Up Reading, and a new book Metaphors Be With You.

1. Word Tripper Tips

Consider giving the gift of accuracy—a practical subscription program that features Word Tripper of the Week for 52 weeks with the Word Trippers ebook included plus excellent bonuses.

A Word Tripper is a succinct way to explain the difference between word pairs that commonly get confused—affect vs. effect, accept vs. except, and many more. When people know the difference and use the words accurately, they feel more confident in their writing and look smart, too!

Place a word choice guide at their fingertips—instantly. Go to www.WordTrippers.com/gift

Do you have several people on your list to send this to? Become an affiliate!

Know any English language educators? Suggest this program for helping students grasp our language better. Send them this link. #LearnEnglish #ESL #words #writing

2. Rev It Up Reading Program

Here’s a fabulous speed reading program that’s perfect for busy professionals and those who want to further their studies and careers. It was created by speed reading expert Abby Marks Beale, the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speed Reading and 10 Days to Faster Reading.

Various options are available. Go here for complete details.

 
3. Metaphors Be With You: An A to Z Dictionary of History’s Greatest Metaphorical Quotations

Dr. Mardy Grothe presents a new compendium of the English language’s finest metaphors with a meditation on their beauty and necessity. This essential guide for writers, readers, and anybody in love with language breaks new ground with its use of QR codes. These codes take you to a corresponding database on the web, making this work “a living, breathing museum.”

Order it here or through Amazon or Barnes & Noble in time for the holidays.

From Our Blog

View all blog posts »

Barbara McNichol Editorial
5090 N. Camino de la Cumbre
Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

Email us »