Writing the most important part of a sentence (at the end, between parentheses)?

Question

I've seen this writing style several times, where the most important part of a sentence - or a twist - is put at the end between parentheses. This is typically used in titles and gives the sentence an ironic or cynical tone.Examples:> The new ways to lose weight (that don't work)> The car of your dreams exists (but you'll never have it)> A simple recipe for happiness (that nobody follows)Does this writing style have a name? Which prominent author used it first, if any?

Answer 1

This writing technique is called a parenthetical aside, and it can be used in various genres (including novels, poems, plays, speeches, and films). Parenthetical asides are often a key component in dramatic irony, as they allow the author (or speaker) to share information with the audience that the other characters may not have access to. As you pointed out, these asides often have an ironic or cynical tone and may work to undercut the information previously presented [i.e., I told the dentist that I floss every night (or every three weeks).]

This technique has been employed since the days of oral storytelling, and it is featured prominently in many Shakespeare plays.