Exercise 6 of 10
Try to determine this proverb’s function, frame, and finish.
Expand each section by clicking the “+” to see how well you did.
“Buyer Beware.”
What is the FUNCTION of this proverb?
This is a prescription proverb, because the author is offering buyers a method to protect themselves.
What FRAME is this proverb built upon?
This is a special Implied frame. In all likelihood, it began as some sort of conditional: If you’re a buyer, you must be wary. Yet, the conditional words were eliminated through ruthless editing.
What FINISH (or finishes) have been applied to this proverb?
This proverb has 2 finishes:
1) Alliteration: Buyer Beware.
2) Ellipsis: Which removed all but the essential words.
EXTRA CREDIT: What METAPHOR is this proverb built upon?
This proverb is based on the metaphor: Buying is risk.