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Climax

 

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Climax

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

Climax is the arrangement of words in increasing order of effect.

Example

We'll collect pennies in tens, hundreds and millions! Power starts small, becomes significant then becomes unstoppable.

We'll fight them in the country, in every town and every street. We shall not surrender!

Love creates happiness, happiness creates joy, joy creates enlightenment.

Discussion

'Climax' in this usage creates the word in its common usage, building up to a climax. A well-built climax increases expectation and so tension with each item in the list.

As words are added to the sequence, a pattern is set up, first of a similar theme and then of increasing importance and impact.

Climax may be used with other devices such as the triple or anadiplosis.

The opposite of climax is anti-climax, where tension is release in a disappointing way.

Climax is also known as Gradation.

Climax is the Greek for 'ladder'.

Classification: Amplification

See also

Tension principle, Anadiplosis

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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 |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed