Have you ever been talking to someone, and they suddenly interrupt the conversation to tell you a story about something? They say, “Hey. Speaking of …” or “Did I ever tell you about the time…?” Well, that is usually how an anecdote begins. We’re all guilty of using them. Sometimes, without even a point. In writing, the anecdote always has a purpose, even if you don’t realize it at the time.
What is Anecdote?
Anecdote is a literary device that uses a short, simple story to tell a story about something of interest. They revolve around a single character and usually involve a theme or message. An anecdote may be light-hearted or serious in tone and it may make a point in an argument, add humor to a story, or simply entertain the reader.
How to pronounce Anecdote?
When do writers use Anecdotes?
First and foremost, anecdotes create diversity in perspective and experience. An anecdote is a short story or brief account of an interesting or humorous incident. Writers use anecdotes for a variety of reasons. They may be used to add humor to a story by means of introducing profanity to make it funnier. They may present a character in a different point of view or in another way that would not make sense to introduce in the main narrative.
Anecdotes may be used to make a point, provide an example, illustrate a theme, or convey a more subtle message. A very skilled writer may choose to incorporate an anecdote as a way to introduce rhetoric. Or, the use of an anecdote may serve no other purpose than to simply slow the pace of the story.
How do you use an Anecdote in your writing?
Anecdotes are short, focused stories within a larger narrative. Since anecdotes are essentially micro-stories, a good rule of thumb is to treat them as you would any other story when incorporating them into your writing. To do that:
- Introduce your story
- Say what happened
- Conclude your story
- Either draw a conclusion or ask a question so that your reader may come to their own when writing your anecdote, remember to:
- Be visual.
- Be relatable.
- Make it memorable.
- Write with impact in mind.
Are there different types of anecdotes?
There is not a formal grouping for anecdotes, but they are generally regarded as falling into one of several groupings. Not so surprising, there are almost as many types of various anecdotes as there are ways to use the tool, so please keep in mind that depending on who you ask, the following list represents the major categories of anecdotes. The purpose of your anecdote will determine what type of anecdote most closely aligns with what your purpose.
Cautionary – This type of anecdote usually involves a moral or lesson. These stories typically include consequences and punishment. As a result, this type of anecdote is popular in mythological tales, religious parables, and fairy tales. Common examples of cautionary anecdotes are often found in Greek literature, such as the tale of Icarus, who disobeyed his father and died as a result.
Characterizing – Characterizing anecdotes often present a side or perspective of a character that would not make sense to introduce within the main narrative. This type of anecdote may be used to build character or offer insight into that character. One of the most well-known examples of characterizing anecdotes is the American tale of George Washington who cut down the cherry tree and then professed, “I cannot tell a lie.”
Humorous – As the name may suggest, this type of anecdote introduces humor into the main story. It is centered around one specific character and may or may not be relevant to the story, such as a famous example of “The Revenge of Lard Ass Hogan,” from Stephen King’s novel, The Body (also known as Stand by Me)
Inspirational – This type of anecdote is most often found in persuasive writing and speeches. Like pathos of the famed ethos, pathos. Logos, an inspirational anecdote pulls on the heartstrings in an effort to offer hope and inspiration to the reader or audience. A famous example of an inspirational anecdote occurred during an interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he was asked if he ever felt the weight of his position. He replied with an anecdote about a little girl who couldn’t even pronounce freedom. In this anecdote, he describes how a police officer approached the girl and asked what she wanted. She said fee-dom. The inspirational part of his story is that while the child could not say the word, she knew and understood the concept and what everyone was fighting for.
Nostalgic – Also referred to as a reminiscent anecdote, this type takes the reader back to the distant past. Nostalgic anecdotes may be humorous or an exaggeration and usually try to make a point. One of the most common examples is probably used by grandparents the world over and goes something like, “Back in my day, we had to walk 10 miles in the rain, snow, and ice just to get to school.”
Anecdotes in Literature 📚
Anecdotes in literature are quite common in longer narratives and serve a wide range of purposes. In the selections below, we’ve chosen text which speak on inequality and class.
In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, Huck encounters a young slave named Jim. In their conversation, Jim tells Huck how he escaped to Jackson Island.
“Well, you see, it ’uz dis way. Ole missus—dat’s Miss Watson—she pecks on me all de time, en treats me pooty rough, but she awluz said she wouldn’ sell me down to Orleans. […] Well, one night I creeps to de do’ pooty late, en de do’ warn’t quite shet, en I hear old missus tell de widder she gwyne to sell me down to Orleans, but she didn’ want to, but she could git eight hund’d dollars for me, en it ’uz sich a big stack o’ money she couldn’ resis’. De widder she try to git her to say she wouldn’ do it, but I never waited to hear de res’. I lit out mighty quick, I tell you.”
Even though this story is brief, it is impactful because it tells of the differences between slaves and white society.
Another great example comes from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. In this brief excerpt, Daisy wants to tell Nick a story, although rather inadequately. However, once she finishes the story, the novel’s theme, class, and social climbing, is highlighted and Daisy’ subpar story serves as a cautionary tale.
“I’ll tell you a family secret,” she whispered enthusiastically. “It’s about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s nose?”
“That’s why I came over to-night.”
“Well, he wasn’t always a butler; he used to be the silver polisher for some people in New York that had a silver service for two hundred people. He
had to polish it from morning till night, until finally it began to affect his nose ——”
Things went from bad to worse,” suggested Miss Baker.
“Yes. Things went from bad to worse, until finally he had to give up his position.”
These examples illustrate how a brief side story can offer insight in characters and situations while remaining impactful even if they do not initially seem to serve a purpose.
Anecdote in Songs 🎧
While somewhat unconventional, an anecdote can exist in song. Sometimes, as in the case here, the song itself is an anecdote.
“American Pie,” Don McLean – This song reminisces on the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper and loosley tells the story of the day the music died, which refers specifically to that crash.
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” The Charlie Daniels Band – While fictional, much like “American Pie,” this song reminisces on a story once told to the singer about a fiddle contest between the devil and a young man. Interestingly, this song also appears to have a moral.
One of the best examples of an anecdote in a song, regardless of who sings it (there are many renditions) is “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” This song has it all – an affair, jealousy, murder, and false justice. In it, the singer recalls the night her little sister murdered a man and got away with it while another man was falsely accused.
And in Poetry ✍🏽
When examining poetry for examples of anecdotes, you may find that the bin is shallow and the occurrence rare. However, that does not mean that anecdotes are not used in poetry. It simply means that the occurrence is rare.
One such example is “Death in the Arctic,” by Robert W. Service. What makes this poem such a unique example is that it is actually an anecdote within a poem. The poem is rather long, but it begins,
“I took the clock down from the shelf;
“At eight,” said I, “I shoot myself.”
It lacked a minute of the hour,
And as I waited all a-cower,
A skinful of black, boding pain,
Bits of my life came back again. . . .
…..
“Mother, there’s nothing more to eat —
Why don’t you go out on the street?
Always you sit and cry and cry;
Here at my play I wonder why.
Mother, when you dress up at night,Red are your cheeks, your eyes are bright…”
Note that as the first verse ends, it offers a transition to the memory beginning with line 1 of the second verse.
Anecdotes in Film and Pop Culture 🎥
Forrest Gump (1994) is actually a really good example of an anecdote in film. White most of the film is technically flashbacks, the argument can be made that each flashback is also anecdotal. Each time Forrest returns to his past, he reveals a significant part of history along with a moral or lesson to be learned from the experience.
And for real-life examples, check out this clip from the Jay Leno Show with Jennifer Lawrence.
Remember, it is kind of an unspoken rule that every guest on American talk shows is more or less required to provide a witty or humorous anecdote to lighten the mood. Although, there are almost certainly occasions where this never occurred.
Often Confused With…/Related literary devices 👥
- Dialogue – Conversation between two or more people in a story, poem, or narrative.
- Narrative – A written or spoken account of connected events in a story.
- Perspective – A particular way of seeing things by an individual or group.
FAQ 🤔
What is an anecdote in literature?
An anecdote is a short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person, often used to illustrate a point or to engage the reader’s interest. It can provide personal insights, highlight human nature, or elucidate a particular trait or situation through a brief narrative.
How are anecdotes used in writing?
Anecdotes are used in writing to personalize abstract concepts, make arguments more relatable, or introduce humor or insight into a narrative. They are effective in speeches, essays, and literary works to draw readers in and provide a vivid illustration of the writer’s point.
What is the difference between an anecdote and a short story?
The main difference lies in their purpose and structure. An anecdote is typically brief and focused on a single incident or idea, used to support a point or demonstrate a lesson in a larger context. A short story is a complete narrative with a structured plot, character development, and a resolved ending, intended as a work of fiction for its own sake.
Why do speakers and writers use anecdotes?
Speakers and writers use anecdotes to make their messages more compelling and memorable. Anecdotes humanize abstract concepts, evoke emotions, and create connections with the audience by sharing relatable experiences. They can make complex ideas easier to understand and retain.
How can I identify an anecdote in a text?
To identify an anecdote, look for a brief passage that tells a specific story about an individual or incident, often introduced to illustrate a point or add depth to the discussion. Anecdotes are usually personal or historical and are presented as a mini-narrative within a larger context.