lesson

07 EPIPHANY
your “AHA!” MOMENT begins here
what is epiphany?

A moment in the story where a character achieves

realization, awareness, or a feeling of knowledge,
after a particular event in the story.
Derived from the Greek word epiphaneia, which
means “appearance,” or “manifestation.”
what is epiphany?
Epiphany is an “Aha!” moment.

As a literary device, epiphany is the

moment when a character is suddenly struck
with a life-changing realization which
changes the rest of the story.
an epiphany sometimes begins with a small,
everyday occurrence or experience.
“In the middle of a typical argument with his
wife, a man realizes he has been the one causing
every single argument, and that in order to keep
his marriage, he must stop being such an
aggressive person.”
epiphanies can occur at any moment and
tend to occur when they are least
expected.

“It’s a normal day in class when Mary trips on

her shoelace and fall. As she embarrassedly
stands up blushing and finds her desk, Ryan
realizes he is in love with her.”
epiphanies are sometimes
predictable.

“Amy has been smoking for fifteen years. She knows

she would be healthier if she quit, and people have
urged her to quit, but she just can’t. It isn’t until she
gives birth to her daughter that she has a moment of
revelation: she has to quit. She has to be a role model
for her daughter, and she has to live as long as
possible to see her grow up.”
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what is your epiphany?
related terms
anagnorisis
a moment of revelation like epiphany but
possess dark and dramatic elements

a turning point where a character

discovers something significant about
themselves or the plot
example of anagnorisis versus epiphany
story:
An old man has lived his entire life as
someone greedy and driven by money.
Story: An old man has lived his entire life as someone greedy and
driven by money.
epiphany
The man is walking down the
street when he sees a dirty coin. He picks
it up, thinking he’ll save a penny, and
realizes it is only a game token from an
arcade. At that moment, he realizes his
money is no different—it is a game and a
distraction to him. He realizes then that
he should focus on more important things
in life, such as love and companionship.
anagnorisis
The old man has his fiftieth
birthday party, attended by no one. The
next week, his own daughter accuses him
of being too greedy and selfish. That
same day, he is informed that his wife
wants a divorce and does not care about
the money. At this moment, the man
realizes his tragic mistake: he has lived a
life focused on money rather than love
and companionship.
Guidelines in Writing an Epiphany
based on Everyday Incidences
In order to use epiphany, begin with a story
rooted in an everyday occurrence. Insert a
moment of revelation, or epiphany, into the
story.
Guidelines in Writing an Epiphany
based on Everyday Incidences
Everyday occurrence: ______________
Moment of epiphany: ______________
Story with epiphany: _______________
example #1
consider a boy who is mowing the lawn.
everyday occurrence:
A boy is mowing the lawn.
moment of epiphany:
He realizes he wants to be an engineer.
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example #1
consider a boy who is mowing the lawn.
story with epiphany:
A boy is mowing the lawn when he begins thinking
about the last math problem he had in class. He
realizes that he would be happier if he were
working on math rather than doing chores. At that
moment, he decides he’s going to become an
engineer.
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example #2
imagine a woman who is stuck in traffic on the
way to work.

everyday occurrence:
A woman is stuck in traffic on her way to work.
moment of epiphany:
She realizes she does not want to go to her school as a
teacher, and that her true calling is to be a hairdresser.
example #2
imagine a woman who is stuck in traffic on the
way to work.

story with epiphany:

A woman is stuck in major traffic on her way to work.
Sitting uncomfortably in her car, she realizes she does not
want to go to her school as a teacher, and that her true
calling is to be a hairdresser. That day, she file a two-
week leave before quitting and attending beauty school.
Short Recitation
1. What is an epiphany?
2. Differentiate epiphany and anagnorisis.
thank you,
next | Biography & Autobiography
PETA #3 EPIPHANY HUNT
1. List an everyday occurrence or event.
Everyday occurrence: ________________________

2. Write a moment of epiphany for each everyday

occurrence.
Moment of epiphany: ________________________

3. Expand your moment of epiphany through a detailed

story.
Story with epiphany: ________________________
PETA #3 EPIPHANY HUNT
EPIPHANY RUBRIC
CREATIVITY (5 pts) - The everyday occurrence is
1. Everyday occurrence unique and interesting.
2. Moment of epiphany CLARITY OF EPIPHANY (5 pts) - The moment of
epiphany is clearly stated and easy to understand.
3. Story with epiphany
NARRATIVE FLOW (5 pts) - The story with the
Don’t forget to write the epiphany has a logical and well-organized structure.
Transitions between different parts of the story are
title of your short story! smooth.
GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS (5 pts) -
Exceptional command of grammar, punctuation, and
spelling, with no errors.
Everyday occurrence: A boy is mowing the lawn.
Moment of epiphany: He realizes he wants to be an engineer.

From Blades of Grass to Engineering Dreams

The sun beat down on me as I pushed the lawnmower across the front yard, the rhythmic hum filling the
air. With each pass, my mind wandered, and I couldn't shake the image of the complex math problem that had
stumped me earlier in class. The blades of grass seemed to blur, and suddenly, it hit me like a bolt from the blue—I
would rather be tinkering with equations and solving problems than pushing this lawnmower.
As I continued my monotonous task, a vivid vision of myself in a lab coat, surrounded by gears and
gadgets, unfolded in my mind. The idea of becoming an engineer took root, and I felt a surge of excitement that
surpassed any satisfaction I had ever felt from yard work. The lawnmower became a metaphor for the routine tasks
that were keeping me from pursuing my true passion.
With each step, I could almost feel the gears turning in my head, aligning my future with a newfound
purpose. The smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the scent of ambition, and I knew in that moment that I had
discovered my calling. I finished mowing the lawn with a newfound sense of determination, eager to embark on the
journey towards a career that would allow me to explore the boundless possibilities of engineering. The once
mundane chore had become a catalyst for a transformative epiphany that would shape my future.
Everyday occurrence: A woman is stuck in traffic on her way to work.
Moment of epiphany: She realizes she does not want to go to her school as a teacher, and that her true
calling is to be a hairdresser.

A Journey from Classroom to Salon

The morning sun cast a warm glow on my face as I sat frustrated in my car, trapped in the endless sea of
honking horns and impatient drivers. My mind was swirling with the stresses of lesson plans and unruly students,
the routine that had become my life as a high school teacher. But in that gridlock, something shifted. It was as if the
traffic jam was a metaphor for the congestion in my soul.
As I gazed out at the bustling city, a sudden clarity washed over me. I didn't want to be heading to my
school; I wanted to be somewhere else entirely. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning—I wanted to be a
hairdresser. The idea had been lingering in the recesses of my mind, suppressed by societal expectations and the
fear of change. Yet, in that moment, amidst the chaos of traffic, I saw a different path for myself.
The image of a bustling salon, the scent of hair products, and the sound of lively conversations replaced
the monotony of the classroom. The thought of making people feel beautiful and confident resonated with me on a
profound level. It was a leap into the unknown, but in that traffic jam, I found the courage to pursue my true
passion. As the cars inched forward, so did my determination to break free from the confines of my current life and
embark on a journey towards a more authentic and fulfilling future.