Which rhetorical device involves repeating words in reverse order in successive clauses?

• A. A Chiasmus
• B. B Antimetabole
• C. C Metaphor
• D. D Alliteration

Answer: (B)

Antimetabole is the device that repeats the same words in reverse order across two clauses. This creates a neat, mirrored statement that emphasizes the relationship between the two ideas. A classic example is, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” where the exact words are swapped to form the second clause. This word-for-word reversal is what sets antimetabole apart from other devices. Chiasmus is a broader reversal of structure and may not reuse the same words, while metaphor and alliteration involve comparisons or sound repetition rather than reversing word order.