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Article published In: Constructions and Frames
Vol. 18:1 (2026) ► pp.100–138

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Rhetorical schemes and Construction Grammar

The argument from chiasmus

ORCiD logo with link | University of Waterloo
Published online: 8 January 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/cf.24004.har
Abstract
Formal rhetorical figures (schemes) have been largely neglected by Construction Grammar (CxG). The losses of this omission are substantial. Like metaphors, schemes leverage general-purpose neurocognitive principles and evoke communicative functions. They give utterances salience and memorability, making them highly compatible with usage-based models, and they align form with function. Their association with ludic functions also makes them of considerable interest to creativity-of-everyday-language linguists. Focusing on inverse-repetition figures (exemplified by “all for one and one for all”) and a few collocate figures, this paper argues for integrating rhetorical schemes much more fully into CxG.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Rhetorical figures: Definitions and categories
    • 2.1Tropes and schemes
    • 2.2Figural collocations
  • 3.Chiastic constructions
    • 3.1Chiastic form and function 1, reciprocal energy
    • 3.2Chiastic form and function 2, anti-reciprocality
    • 3.3Chiastic form and function 3: Reciprocal specification
    • 3.4Chiastic form and function 4, subclass relations
  • 4.The chiastic construction landscape
  • 5.Conclusion: Impressive regularities
  • Acknowledgement
  • Notes
  • Glossary of rhetorical terms
  • References
References (140)
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