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Rhetoric
Within Pattern Analysis, rhetoric is the persuasive portion of a literary unit based on its structure. Certain locations within each literary unit are potentially persuasive–they are presented below for the sake of analysis. Normally, many of the potential locations can be persuasive, but often not all. The student is encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit seems to be emphasizing.
The imperfect form of the chiasm is a powerful literary device that uses an asymmetric imbalance to bring emphasis on a portion of the structure. An imperfect chiasm is seen when an extra or absence is presented (such as A-C-D-D'-C'-B'-A'), or a transposition (A-B-C-X-C'-A'-B') is detected. The place of imperfection is almost always emphatic.
In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.
Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.
This IMPERFECT CHIASM is generally stated as the story of Noah and the flood. In pattern analysis, each of the elements, A-C-X-C′-B′-A′, are DRILL commands that reference individual pericopes. For example, the pericope about the Noahic Covenant is found in Genesis 9:8-17.
By looking at this structure, more detail is revealed than just a fearful flood. The lack of text in the B element points to the emphasis in the EXTRA B′ element. Some well-intended storytellers may minimize the importance of Noah′s covenant, but the structure points to its relevance.
1) The FIRST/LAST elements identify the Lord′s basic problem: corruption and wickedness. The people in the A element were corrupt which certainly was portrayed as more than stealing from one′s neighbor. In the A′ element it could easily be argued that Ham′s indifference towards his helpless father was not a judgment upon Noah, for he lived many years afterward. Rather it was a form of corruption, possibly better called wickedness and certainly not love.
2) The destruction of life with the exception of those on the ark was placed in the X CENTER POINT. Like a musical instrument that rises to deafening sounds, an extremely loud explosion, and then a gradual softening of the music, so is the complete obliteration of life in the Lord′s hands. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
CHIASM (IMPERFECT):
... the flood during Noah′s time ...
a change of topic
BEGINNING MARKER:
no text
B