How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
Catabasis
Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Catabasis Method | Example | Discussion | See also
DescriptionCatabasis is the steady decrease of emphasis or sense. ExampleAnd then I will come before you, and the wise will follow and others will be left behind. Man bites dog! Jeffrey Evans was in court yesterday for biting a dog in the park. He was remanded in custody until a later date. We shall destroy!! We shall, at least break something. Well, maybe we'll shout a bit. DiscussionThis uses the principle of primacy, where things listed first have particular impact and are more likely to be remembered. By adding emphasis to the beginning, catabasis increases this effect. Catabasis works well in speech, where verbal emphasis can be used to add strength to the words. This can make it useful for politicians and other speech-makers. The first item in a catabasis can act like a headline, summarizing the key message. Subsequent items add layers of information but with the earlier ones being more important. In this way, newspapers make significant use of catabasis. Catabasis can also be used for comedic effect, for example showing early bravado collapsing into effective retraction. Catabasis is the opposite of anabasis, which is a stepwise increase in emphasis. The Latin word for Catabasis is Decrementum. Classification: Attention, Reduction See alsoPrimacy Effect, Using emphasis
|
Site Menu |
| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings | |
Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories | |
Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help | |
More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes | |
Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate | |
You can buy books here |
And the big |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
|
Site Menu |
| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings | |
Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories | |
Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help | |
More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes | |
Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate | |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
|