A non sequitur (English: /nɒnˈsɛkwɪtər/non SEK-wit-ər, Classical Latin:[noːnˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr]; "[it] does not follow") is a conversational literary device, often used for comedic purposes. It is something said that, because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it,[1] seems absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing. This use of the term is distinct from the non sequitur in logic, where it is a fallacy.[2]
The expression is Latin for "[it] does not follow".[3] It comes from the words non meaning "not" and the verb sequi meaning "to follow".[4]
UsageEdit
A non sequitur can denote an abrupt, illogical, or unexpected turn in plot or dialogue by including a relatively inappropriate change in manner. A non sequitur joke sincerely has no explanation, but it reflects the idiosyncrasies, mental frames and alternative world of the particular comic persona.[5]
Comic artist Gary Larson's The Far Side cartoons are known for what Larson calls "...absurd, almost non sequitur animal" characters, such as talking cows, which he uses to create a "...weird, zany, ...bizarre, odd, strange" effect; in one strip, "two cows in a field gaze toward burning Chicago, saying 'It seems that agent 6373 had accomplished her mission.'"[6]
^"Definition of NON SEQUITUR". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
^Chambers, Robert (2010). Parody: The Art that Plays with Art. Peter Lang Publishers. p. 75. ISBN978-1433108693. Retrieved 2014-09-17. Along with a rhythmic pattern, these jokes, however absurd they may be, build dual frames of reference, if not alternative worlds entirely reflecting the idiosyncrasies of the individual stand-up artist.
^Harrington, Richard (16 June 1983). "The Bizarre Side". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
External linksEdit
Look up non sequitur in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Getting It: Human Event-Related Brain Response to Jokes in Good and Poor Comprehenders - "When asked to pick the punch-line of a joke from an array of choices, including straightforward endings, non sequitur endings, and the correct punch-line, RHD patients erred by picking non sequitur endings, indicating that they know surprise is necessary"
September 27, 2023
sequitur, literary, device, confused, with, formal, fallacy, sequitur, english, classical, latin, noːn, ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr, does, follow, conversational, literary, device, often, used, comedic, purposes, something, said, that, because, apparent, lack, meaning, relative. Not to be confused with formal fallacy A non sequitur English n ɒ n ˈ s ɛ k w ɪ t er non SEK wit er Classical Latin noːn ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr it does not follow is a conversational literary device often used for comedic purposes It is something said that because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it 1 seems absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing This use of the term is distinct from the non sequitur in logic where it is a fallacy 2 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Usage 3 See also 4 More readings 5 References 6 External linksEtymology EditThe expression is Latin for it does not follow 3 It comes from the words non meaning not and the verb sequi meaning to follow 4 Usage EditA non sequitur can denote an abrupt illogical or unexpected turn in plot or dialogue by including a relatively inappropriate change in manner A non sequitur joke sincerely has no explanation but it reflects the idiosyncrasies mental frames and alternative world of the particular comic persona 5 Comic artist Gary Larson s The Far Side cartoons are known for what Larson calls absurd almost non sequitur animal characters such as talking cows which he uses to create a weird zany bizarre odd strange effect in one strip two cows in a field gaze toward burning Chicago saying It seems that agent 6373 had accomplished her mission 6 See also EditAnacoluthon Anti humor Dada Derailment thought disorder Good day fellow Axe handle Gibberish Roger Irrelevant Surreal humourMore readings EditThe Koan Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism United Kingdom Oxford University Press 2000 Shabo Magedah Rhetoric Logic and Argumentation A Guide for Student Writers United States Prestwick House 2010 References Edit The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English Oxford University Press 2009 Non Sequitur Examples and Definition of Non Sequitur Literary Devices 2014 01 02 Retrieved 2021 08 31 Merriam Webster s Online Dictionary http mw1 m w com dictionary non 20sequitur Archived 2012 02 18 at the Wayback Machine Definition of NON SEQUITUR www merriam webster com Retrieved 2021 08 31 Chambers Robert 2010 Parody The Art that Plays with Art Peter Lang Publishers p 75 ISBN 978 1433108693 Retrieved 2014 09 17 Along with a rhythmic pattern these jokes however absurd they may be build dual frames of reference if not alternative worlds entirely reflecting the idiosyncrasies of the individual stand up artist Harrington Richard 16 June 1983 The Bizarre Side Washington Post Retrieved 12 August 2020 External links Edit nbsp Look up non sequitur in Wiktionary the free dictionary Getting It Human Event Related Brain Response to Jokes in Good and Poor Comprehenders When asked to pick the punch line of a joke from an array of choices including straightforward endings non sequitur endings and the correct punch line RHD patients erred by picking non sequitur endings indicating that they know surprise is necessary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Non sequitur literary device amp oldid 1176676932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
