The Online Scholar Institute

📌 Paralipsis

Definition:
Paralipsis (also called apophasis or preterition) is a rhetorical device where a speaker or writer brings up a subject by claiming they will not mention it. It’s a way of drawing attention to something while pretending to pass over it.

✅ Example:

• “I won’t even mention the fact that he was late to every meeting.”
  (The speaker claims not to mention it, but still makes the audience aware of it.)
• In politics: “I’m not saying my opponent is corrupt, but…”
  (By denying, the speaker actually plants the idea in listeners’ minds.)

And there it is! Now go ahead and use paralipsis in your CXC prep/ CSEC prep.

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