It Figures provides examples and explanations of rhetorical figures using contemporary examples. Like this one on expexegesis:
Quote: ‘Well, he’s kind of had it in for me ever since I accidentally ran over his dog. Actually, replace 'accidentally' with 'repeatedly,' and replace 'dog' with 'son.' Lionel Hutz, a character in 'The Simpsons'
Figure of Speech: Epexegesis (ee pex uh GEE sis), the figure of elaboration
As an amateur classicist, we’re dedicated to Homer. We love his epic tales of wandering, of larger than life characters, storied battles, heroic drunkenness, and donuts (mmmmm…donuts).
We especially love Homer—well, all of Springfield—for the rich and tasty figures of speech. Take Lionel Hutz, the lawyer who occasionally represents Homer and Marge Simpson. Hutz invariably tells the truth, the whole truth, through sheer incompetence: ‘ I’ve argued in front of every judge in this state—often as a lawyer.’
Hutz endearingly addends himself with the figure of speech called epexegesis (‘explanation’ in Greek). The epexegesis adds material to clarify a statement. In Hutz’s case, it clarifies to the point of disaster. ‘Mr. Simpson, don’t you worry,’ he once told Homer. ‘I watched Matlock in a bar last night. The sound wasn’t on, but I think I got the gist of it.’
If only every lawyer were so honest—accidentally honest, to be sure, and Hutz is only a cartoon character, and you wouldn’t want him representing you, but anyway…
What's In It For You: Use an epexegesis for emphasis (I’m a soldier—an American soldier) or humor (He knew her, in the Biblical sense). Usually, though, when you see a phrase that clarifies what you’ve already written, it’s time to edit. The most infamous epexegesis clogs the opening line of Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1830 novel, Paul Clifford:
‘It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.’
The line inspired an annual contestto come up with the worst opening lines to novels. The winners provide a rich source of figures, as you’ll see in the days to come.
[via It Figures]
Posted by johndanseven at August 5, 2005 09:57 AM