What is a statement that consists of two parallel parts with the second part reversed?

A statement that consists of two parallel parts with the second part reversed is known as chiasmus. This rhetorical device involves a specific structure where the elements in one part of the statement are mirrored in the other part, creating a sense of balance and contrast. The term itself derives from the Greek letter "chi," which resembles the letter "X," indicating the crossing of ideas.

For example, the famous phrase by John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country," demonstrates chiasmus effectively. The reversed structure emphasizes the contrast between the two clauses, making the statement more impactful and memorable.

The other options do not fit this definition: anaphora involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms, and glittering generalities refer to vague, emotionally appealing phrases that lack concrete meaning. Each of these fulfills different functions in language and rhetoric, but none exhibit the specific parallel and reversed structure defined by chiasmus.