kiasmen

Kiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two sets of words, typically parallel in grammatical structure, are repeated in reverse order. The term comes from the Greek word "chiasmus," meaning "crossed." It is often described as an ABBA pattern. For example, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Here, the first half uses the structure "country can do for you," and the second half reverses it to "you can do for your country."

The effect of kiasmus can be to create emphasis, highlight a contrast or comparison, or to make a statement more memorable. It can add a sense of balance and symmetry to a sentence or phrase. Kiasmus is found in various forms of literature, speeches, and everyday language. It can be used to create a sense of closure or to elegantly summarize an idea. The structure of kiasmus often involves a crisscrossing of ideas or elements, leading to a more profound or impactful expression. This literary technique can be subtle, but its effect on the reader or listener is often significant.