LessonsSupplementary Master Practicum: Rhetorical Criticism, Revision and Justified InterpretationQuiz

وَلَا عَيْبَ فِيهِمْ غَيْرَ أَنَّ سُيُوفَهُمْ بِهِنَّ فُلُولٌ مِنْ قِرَاعِ الْكَتَائِبِ
They have no fault, except their swords bear notches from battle.

The exception marker sets up an expectation of fault, but notched swords from repeated combat testify to courage. The apparent reversal strengthens praise. Replacing the line with “they are brave” conveys the compliment but loses the surprise and intensification.

The mere presence of “except” is not enough to establish the device. The supposed exception must be interpreted: does it express an actual defect or another commendable quality?

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Recognizing praise in an apparent exception of blame

Supplementary Master Practicum: Rhetorical Criticism, Revision and Justified Interpretation

وَلَا عَيْبَ فِيهِمْ غَيْرَ أَنَّ سُيُوفَهُمْ بِهِنَّ فُلُولٌ مِنْ قِرَاعِ الْكَتَائِبِ
They have no fault, except their swords bear notches from battle.

The exception marker sets up an expectation of fault, but notched swords from repeated combat testify to courage. The apparent reversal strengthens praise. Replacing the line with “they are brave” conveys the compliment but loses the surprise and intensification.

The mere presence of “except” is not enough to establish the device. The supposed exception must be interpreted: does it express an actual defect or another commendable quality?