Anecdote is a literary device that involves a short and often personal story or account that is used to illustrate a particular point or theme. Anecdotes can be humorous, serious, or poignant, and can be found in various forms of literature, from memoirs and essays to speeches and advertising. They are often used to create a sense of connection or empathy with the audience, and can be a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas and emotions in a simple and relatable way. Anecdotes can also be used to provide context or background information to a larger narrative or argument.
Examples of anecdote:
In “The Catcher in the Rye,” the main character Holden Caulfield tells an anecdote about a former classmate who was ostracized for being a communist, illustrating the theme of conformity and individuality.
In his autobiography “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,” Douglass tells an anecdote about teaching himself to read by observing the white children in his neighborhood, highlighting the theme of the power of education.
In the movie “Forrest Gump,” the main character Forrest tells anecdotes about his experiences and encounters with historical figures such as Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy, highlighting the theme of the unexpected ways in which life can unfold.
In her essay “The Fourth State of Matter,” author Jo Ann Beard tells an anecdote about her experiences working at a particle accelerator laboratory and how a shooting that took place there affected her and her colleagues, highlighting the theme of the unexpected and profound impact of tragedy.
How is anecdotal a literary device?
Perhaps anecdotal material tends to always contain an amusing element when we’re speaking literally (which is what you appear to be saying above), but not when we leak over into other disciplines.
For example, when we’re speaking about “anecdotal evidence” when referring to one’s health or even a scientific experiment, “anecdotal records” or “anecdotal evidence” merely means there is not a strictly scientifically conducted accounting of gathered evidence supporting an hypothesis. “Anecdotal evidence,” in other words, is more “word-of-mouth” or something presented “in story form.” Your pediatrician might state on your child’s heath chart, for example, that you (the mother) presented anecdotal evidence indicating the child had a normal temperature the entire week before he turned into a vampire. (What’s funny about that?)