Make Your Point > Archived Issues > PAROXYSM

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explore the archives: To describe a frenzied, chaotic climax or high point of anything, call it a paroxysm. But when you need to describe the high point of something that's simply the best or the most accomplished, call it an a___ or a z_____ instead. make your point with... "PAROXYSM" Medically, a paroxysm is a sudden attack of pain or another symptom. Geologically, a paroxysm is a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake or the eruption of a volcano. So you can see why, in general, a paroxysm is a sudden, violent outburst of emotion (or a sudden, violent outburst of activity). Pronunciation: A few ways are correct. I prefer "puh ROCK siz um." Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one paroxysm or multiple paroxysms.) Other forms: The plural is "paroxysms." For the adjective, pick "paroxysmal" or "paroxysmic;" both are correct. How to use it: Talk about paroxysms of violence, paroxysms of fury or rage, a paroxysm of grief, a paroxysm of anguish, and so on. Although you could also have a paroxysm of giggling, a paroxysm of delight, or a paroxysm of joy, this word more often describes negative emotions and events. You can also talk about paroxysms of certain frenzied behaviors: "When she found out the guests would arrive soon, she went into a paroxysm of cleaning." (Just be sure to use "paroxysm" to describe active, even chaotic feelings and movements--it wouldn't make sense, for example, to say "a paroxysm of daydreams" or "a paroxysm of happy stares" because these things are calm by nature.) You can leave out that word "of" if you prefer. An economy, a market, a group, or a person might go into a paroxysm. Something might send you into a paroxysm, something or someone might take something to a paroxysm, and a feeling might reach a paroxysm (or reach its paroxysm). examples: The field trip was canceled--and when the teacher announced this, it threw the entire class into a paroxysm. Watching the news these days can easily move you to paroxysms of tears. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "paroxysm" means when you can explain it without saying "fit" or "attack." try it out: Think of someone you know who gets angry easily, and fill in the blanks: "Don't ask (Person) about (a particularly touchy subject) unless you want to see (him/her) in a paroxysm of rage." Example: "Don't ask her about the upcoming election unless you want to see her in a paroxysm of rage." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Language Techniques: When language sounds beautiful or memorable, often there’s some particular technique responsible for that effect. Each day this month, I’ll give you a specific stylistic technique or quality, and I’d like you to recreate (as closely as you can) the quote that I’ve botched by removing it. We’ll work our way from the easiest to the hardest techniques. Enjoy! From yesterday: Parallelism is the balance or correspondence between multiple parts of a sentence. In other words, you repeat sections of your sentence, keeping the grammar and word order the same, but using new ideas each time. For example, Marilyn Monroe is believed to have said: "If you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as [heck] don’t deserve me at my best." An aphorism often misattributed to Gandhi doesn't go quite like this: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. But when it comes to learning, do that like you will never die." How does the statement usually appear instead? (How can we make it parallel, and therefore more elegant?) Answer: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."  Try this one today: Alliteration is when you repeat the same sounds at the beginning of several words. For example, in a speech written by William Safire, Spiro Agnew once said: "In the United States today we have more than our share of the nattering nabobs of negativism." And in Act 2 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet doesn't say, "Parting is a mixture of happiness and sadness." What alliterative statement does she make instead? review today's word: 1. The opposite of PAROXYSM is A. CALMNESS B. PURPOSE C. CLARITY 2.  _____, the fireworks sent their dogs into paroxysms of _____. A. Unfortunately .. fear B. As we'd predicted .. staring  C. Like the cute photos revealed .. smiles Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. A