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{{short description|Conversational literary device}} {{short description|Conversational literary device}}
{{Distinguish|formal fallacy}} {{Distinguish|text=a ''non sequitur'' in the sense of a ]}}
{{italic title}}

A '''non sequitur''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|n|ɒ|n|_|ˈ|s|ɛ|k|w|ᵻ|t|ər}} {{respell|non|_|SEK|wit|ər}}, {{IPA-la|noːn ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr|classical}}; "it does not follow") is a conversational ], often used for comedic purposes. It is something said that, because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it,<ref>''The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English''. Oxford University Press, 2009.</ref> seems ] to the point of being humorous or confusing. A '''''non sequitur''''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|n|ɒ|n|_|ˈ|s|ɛ|k|w|ᵻ|t|ər}} {{respell|non|_|SEK|wit|ər}}, {{IPA|la-x-classic|noːn ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr|lang|link=yes}}; " does not follow") is a conversational ], often used for ] purposes. It is something said that, because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it,<ref>''The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English''. Oxford University Press, 2009.</ref> seems ] to the point of being ]ous or confusing. This use of the term is distinct from the '']'' in logic, where it is a ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-01-02|title=Non Sequitur - Examples and Definition of Non Sequitur|url=https://literarydevices.net/non-sequitur/|access-date=2021-08-31|website=Literary Devices|language=en-US}}</ref>

This use of the term is distinct from the ], where it is a ].


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
The expression is ] for "it does not follow."<ref>Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary. http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218101007/http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur |date=2012-02-18 }}</ref> It comes from the words ''non'' meaning "not" and ''sequor'' meaning "to follow". The expression is ] for " does not follow".<ref>Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary. http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218101007/http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur |date=2012-02-18 }}</ref> It comes from the words ''non'' meaning "not" and the verb ''sequi'' meaning "to follow".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of NON SEQUITUR|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non+sequitur|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en}}</ref>


==Usage== ==Usage==
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 ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chambers |first1=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ThJJP4b21DwC&pg=PA75 |title=Parody: The Art that Plays with Art |publisher=Peter Lang Publishers |year=2010 |page=75 |isbn= 978-1433108693 |access-date=2014-09-17 |quote=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. }}</ref> 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 ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chambers |first1=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ThJJP4b21DwC&pg=PA75 |title=Parody: The Art that Plays with Art |publisher=Peter Lang Publishers |year=2010 |page=75 |isbn= 978-1433108693 |access-date=2014-09-17 |quote=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. }}</ref>


Comic artist ]'s ] 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 gaz toward burning Chicago, saying 'It seems that agent 6363 had accomplished her mission.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1983/06/16/the-bizarre-side/ba464ceb-355f-4c9b-8f8d-d1b51c8f9f19/ |title=The Bizarre Side |last= Harrington|first= Richard|date=16 June 1983 |work= Washington Post|access-date=12 August 2020 }}</ref> Comic artist ]'s '']'' cartoons are known for what Larson calls "absurd, almost non sequitur animal" characters, such as talking cows, to create a bizarre effect. He gives the example of a strip where "two cows in a field gaze toward burning Chicago, saying 'It seems that agent 6373 had accomplished her mission.'"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1983/06/16/the-bizarre-side/ba464ceb-355f-4c9b-8f8d-d1b51c8f9f19/ |title=The Bizarre Side |last= Harrington|first= Richard|date=16 June 1983 |newspaper= Washington Post|access-date=12 August 2020 }}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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* ] * ]


==References== == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* ''The 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.


==External links== ==External links==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Non sequitur}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Non sequitur}}
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Latest revision as of 00:51, 24 December 2024

Conversational literary device Not to be confused with a non sequitur in the sense of a formal fallacy.

A non sequitur (English: /nɒn ˈsɛkwɪtər/ non SEK-wit-ər, Classical Latin: [noːn ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr]; " 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, 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.

Etymology

The expression is Latin for " does not follow". It comes from the words non meaning "not" and the verb sequi meaning "to follow".

Usage

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.

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, to create a bizarre effect. He gives the example of a strip where "two cows in a field gaze toward burning Chicago, saying 'It seems that agent 6373 had accomplished her mission.'"

See also

References

  1. The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. Oxford University Press, 2009.
  2. "Non Sequitur - Examples and Definition of Non Sequitur". Literary Devices. 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  3. Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary. http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/non%20sequitur Archived 2012-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Definition of NON SEQUITUR". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  5. 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.
  6. Harrington, Richard (16 June 1983). "The Bizarre Side". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 August 2020.

Further reading

  • The 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.

External links

Categories: