What Is an Epigraph vs an Epigram or Epitaph

Each of these words beginning with epi- (from the Greek word for upon) has multiple definitions, but here are the most common meanings. Definitions An epigram is a brief, witty statement in prose or verse--similar to an aphorism.An epigraph is a brief quotation set at the beginning of a text (a book, a chapter of a book, an essay, a poem) to suggest its theme.An epitaph is a brief inscription in prose or verse on a tombstone or monument. None of these words, by the way, should be confused with epithet--an adjective expressing some quality or attribute that is characteristic of a person or thing. Examples He spoke in epigrams about events in the morning paper, prefacing his lectures each day with a few minutes of commentary, invariably sardonic, about a political event that had caught his eye.(Harrison E. Salisbury, A Journey for Our Times. Harper Row, 1983)I believe, as the epigraph to my book states, that the deepest human life is everywhere.(Scott Samuelson, The Deepest Human Life: An Introduction to Philosophy for Everyone. University of Chicago Press, 2014)The cerulean-eyed Paul Newman once wryly predicted his epitaph: Here lies Paul Newman, who died a failure because his eyes turned brown. Practice My father had a favorite _____ that he repeated probably 20 times for me as I grew up: When preparedness meets opportunity, thats luck.(Joe Flynn, Taylor to TQM, 1998)I am curious, about all of it, all the time,† Studs Terkel once said. Curiosity never killed this cat --thats what Id like as my _____.The _____ to Jay McInerneys novel Bright Lights, Big City is a quotation from Hemingways novel The Sun Also Rises. Answers to Practice Exercises My father had a favorite  epigram  that he repeated probably 20 times for me as I grew up:  When preparedness meets opportunity, thats luck. (Joe Flynn, Taylor to TQM, 1998)Curiosity never killed this  cat -- thats  what Id like as my  epitaph.The  epigraph  to Jay McInerneys novel  Bright Lights, Big City  is a quotation from Hemingways novel  The Sun Also Rises.