Antimetabole facts for kids

An antimetabole (pronounced an-tee-meh-TA-boh-lee) is a clever way to use words. It's when you repeat words in a phrase or sentence, but in the exact opposite order in the next phrase or sentence. This makes the idea stronger and often easier to remember.

For example, a famous antimetabole was spoken by US President John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Notice how "country can do for you" is reversed to "you can do for your country."

What is an Antimetabole?

An antimetabole is a type of rhetorical device. This means it's a special way of using language to make a point, persuade someone, or create a certain effect. It's often used in speeches, poems, and literature.

How Does it Work?

The main idea behind an antimetabole is to flip the meaning or focus of a statement. By reversing the words, it makes you think about the idea from a different angle. It can also make a sentence sound very balanced and impactful.

• It uses the same words, but in a different order.
• It often creates a strong contrast or a new perspective.
• It can make a statement memorable and powerful.

Examples of Antimetabole

Many famous people and writers have used antimetabole to make their words stand out.

• "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." (This shows how people who are strong keep moving forward even when things are hard.)
• "Eat to live, not live to eat." (This suggests that food is for survival, not the main purpose of life.)
• "You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man." (From Frederick Douglass, showing a powerful transformation.)

Why Use Antimetabole?

Writers and speakers use antimetabole for several reasons:

• To emphasize a point: The repetition and reversal draw attention to the core message.
• To create a memorable phrase: The balanced structure makes the sentence catchy and easy to recall.
• To show contrast: It highlights the difference between two ideas.
• To persuade: It can make an argument sound more logical or profound.

Antimetabole is a powerful tool in language. It helps speakers and writers make their messages clear, strong, and unforgettable.

See also

In Spanish: Retruécano para niños