Introduction
Enthymeme is a rhetorical device that involves an argument where one premise is not explicitly stated. It’s a shortened syllogism that relies on the audience to fill in the missing premise, making the argument more engaging and persuasive.
Pronounced
en-thuh-meem
How Writers Use Enthymeme
Writers use enthymeme to make their arguments more compelling by engaging the audience in the reasoning process. By leaving out an obvious premise, they encourage the audience to make connections themselves, enhancing the persuasive impact.
Types of Enthymeme
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Truncated Syllogism | Omits a premise, assuming it is obvious to the audience. | “He must be a good student, since he’s studying all the time.” (implied premise: Good students study all the time) |
| Implicit Conclusion | Presents premises and lets the audience infer the conclusion. | “She’s been out in the rain, so she must be wet.” (implied conclusion: Being out in the rain makes you wet) |
| Unstated Major Premise | The major premise is assumed to be true by the audience. | “She’s a mother, so she’s caring.” (implied premise: All mothers are caring) |
Rules of Enthymeme
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Leave Out the Obvious | The missing premise should be something the audience can easily infer. |
| Engage the Audience | Use the enthymeme to make the audience think and connect the dots. |
| Keep It Relevant | Ensure the unstated premise or conclusion is directly related to the argument. |
| Avoid Ambiguity | Make sure the implied premise or conclusion is clear and not open to misinterpretation. |
Enthymeme in Literature 📚
Famous Examples
| Author | Work | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Austen | “Pride and Prejudice” | “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” (implied premise: He is only tempted by very handsome women) |
| Mark Twain | “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” | “All right, then, I’ll go to hell.” (implied premise: Helping Jim means going to hell, which Huck accepts) |
| George Orwell | “1984” | “Big Brother is watching you.” (implied premise: Big Brother’s surveillance is pervasive and omnipresent) |
Enthymeme in Children’s Books 📖
Delightful Examples
| Author | Book | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Seuss | “Green Eggs and Ham” | “I do not like them, Sam-I-am.” (implied premise: If I liked them, I would eat them) |
| Aesop | “The Tortoise and the Hare” | “Slow and steady wins the race.” (implied premise: Being slow and steady leads to success) |
| Roald Dahl | “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” | “You get nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!” (implied premise: Misbehaving leads to punishment) |
Enthymeme in Poetry 📝
Poetic Examples
| Poet | Poem | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Frost | “Mending Wall” | “Good fences make good neighbors.” (implied premise: Fences maintain peace and boundaries) |
| Emily Dickinson | “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” | “Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –” (implied premise: Death is inevitable) |
| Walt Whitman | “Leaves of Grass” | “I celebrate myself, and sing myself.” (implied premise: Celebrating oneself is important) |
Enthymeme in Songs 🎵
Melodic Examples
| Artist | Song | Example |
|---|---|---|
| John Lennon | “Imagine” | “Imagine there’s no heaven.” (implied premise: Without heaven, people would focus on living well) |
| Adele | “Someone Like You” | “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you.” (implied premise: Accepting a breakup means finding someone new) |
| Bob Dylan | “Blowin’ in the Wind” | “The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” (implied premise: The answers to important questions are elusive) |
Enthymeme in Movies 🎬
Cinematic Examples
| Movie | Scene | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars | Darth Vader reveal | “I am your father.” (implied premise: Luke should join him because of their familial bond) |
| The Godfather | Michael’s transformation | “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (implied premise: The offer is so compelling that refusal is impossible) |
| The Dark Knight | Joker’s philosophy | “Why so serious?” (implied premise: People should not take life too seriously) |
Enthymeme in Advertising 📺
Creative Examples
| Brand | Ad | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Just Do It campaign | “Just do it.” (implied premise: Taking action leads to success) |
| Apple | Think Different | “Think different.” (implied premise: Thinking differently leads to innovation) |
| Coca-Cola | Open Happiness | “Open a Coke, open happiness.” (implied premise: Drinking Coke leads to happiness) |
FAQs about Enthymeme ❓
What is the purpose of enthymeme?
Enthymeme aims to make arguments more engaging and persuasive by involving the audience in the reasoning process, making them infer the unstated premises.
How does enthymeme differ from a syllogism?
While a syllogism presents a complete argument with both premises and conclusion, an enthymeme leaves out one premise, relying on the audience to fill in the gap.
Can enthymeme be used in everyday conversation?
Absolutely! Enthymeme is often used in everyday conversation to make points more relatable and to engage listeners in the discussion.
Related Devices 🔍
Syllogism
A form of logical reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises, often leading to a more formal and complete argument.
Ellipsis
A literary device where parts of a sentence or event are omitted, allowing readers to fill in the gaps, similar to how enthymeme leaves out a premise.
Paradox
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