How to Write an Aphorismus
Use aphorismus to point out that something is not being labeled, defined, or used as you think it should. In such a case, you simply question the word for what it should be. If you think a meal should be healthy and it isn’t you can say “is that your idea of healthy?” If you think someone should be nice and they are not, you might say, “you call him nice?” In other words:
- Think of the thing, concept, or word that you want to question.
- Question the definition of that subject.
Let’s use these tips and use aphorismus.
Example 1
For example, imagine that you have a friend who dresses in girly outfits to appear feminine. On the lacrosse field, though, she becomes aggressive, messy, and dirty. You can question this contrast by using aphorismus.
- What is being questioned
Your friend’s girly appearance.
- Normal sentence
You don’t look as girly as usual when you’re playing lacrosse.
- Sentence with Aphorismus
You call yourself girly?
Example 2
For another example, imagine a friend has recommended a book because it is “interesting.” When you read the book, though, you find it is uninspired, cliché, and boring.
- What is being questioned
The interesting book
- Normal sentence
This book wasn’t interesting like you said it was.
- Sentence with Aphorismus:
Are you sure you know what “interesting” means?
Using aphorismus can be a way of challenging the quality of something in a more interesting way rather than simply disagreeing with it.
When to Use Aphorismus
As has been shown in previous examples, aphorismus can be used to express a variety of perspectives, from criticism to surprise. Depending on the intention, aphorismus can be used in both informal and formal situations. Aphorismus is used in poetry and prose, advertisements, movies, television shows, and everyday speech. As is the case with many rhetorical devices, aphorismus would not be considered appropriate in more technical writing such as scientific journals and manuals.