What is Repetition? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples
Repetition definition.
As a literary term, repetition (reh-pih-TIH-shun) refers to deliberately repeating sounds, words, and phrases within a piece of literature for the purpose of creating an intended effect. The point may be to rouse the reader, slow a reader down create rhythm , or make a passage easier to remember.
Literary Devices that Use Repetition
Repetition is a general term that serves as an umbrella for many literary devices. Below are some of the more common repetitious devices; examples may be bolded for emphasis.
- Alliteration : This is the repetition of the sounds at the beginnings of words throughout a sentence , paragraph, or longer passage. “ Pl iny pl ucked the pl ants and then pl ated the pl ums.”
- Anadiplosis : This occurs when a word or a group of words from the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at or toward the beginning of the next clause or sentence for effect. “I fell asleep on a pile of laundry , and a pile of laundry broke my fall in my dream.”
- Anaphora : In anaphora, the writer or speaker repeats a word or group of words at the beginnings of sequential sentences or phrases. “ Everybody saw you take the cupcake. Everybody saw you lick it, and everybody saw you put it back.”
- Antanaclasis: In antanaclasis, a repeated word changes meaning each time it’s used. “A woman was cutting in front of me in line, so I whispered a cutting remark about her rudeness.”
- Antimetabole: In antimetabole, a juxtaposing phrase is repeated and inverted. “He started over to prevent criticism but was criticized for starting over.”
- Assonance : This is the repetition of vowel sounds, which can occur at any position within each word. “I couldn’t t a ke the w a y the light and shadows pl a yed upon her f a ce.”
- Consonance : This is the same as assonance, except with consonant sounds. “Disa st er st ruck when the je st er st ole the re st of the oy st ers.”
- Diacope: Diacope is the repetition of a word or phrase with one to a few words separating the instances. “I heard the train whistle, so I ran for the train and jumped onto the train .”
- Epanalepsis: Epanalepsis is like diacope, except the repeated word or phrase specifically occurs at the beginning and the end of the sentence. “ The best course of action is to hold off on doing anything until we stumble upon the best course of action .”
- Epistrophe: Epistrophe is like anaphora, except the repetition occurs at the end of phrases or sentences. “The station ID says, ‘We don’t just play the same five songs ,’ but this station constantly plays the same five songs , then I get sick of those same five songs , even if I used to like them.”
- Epizeuxis: Epizeuxis is what diacope would be without any intervening words. “Everyone says, ‘Where have the bees gone?’ but when I open a jar of honey outdoors, all I see are bees, bees, bees.”
- Polyptoton: Polyptoton is the repeated use of words with the same root across a sentence or paragraph. “Your comment felt point ed, but point ing fingers seems point less; please just make your point .”
- Polysyndeton: This is the repeated deliberate use of a coordinating conjunction (usually and ) where, typically, commas would be preferable. “The robot cooks and cleans and gardens and drinks and swears and gambles just like Mom used to.”
- Refrain : A refrain is an anchoring repeated element in a poem. It can be a single word or several lines.
- Symploce: Symploce combines anaphora and epistrophe. “ My cat caught a mouse, and I wrote a song about it . My cat scratched me, and I wrote a song about it . My cat ran away, and I wrote a song about it .”
Examples of Repetition in Literature
1. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
In a splendid example of alliteration , Angelou repeats s and w sounds to add texture to her description of feeling uncomfortable at church:
Up the aisle, the moans and s creams merged with the s ickening s mell of w oolen black clothes worn in s ummer w eather and green leaves w ilting over yellow flowers.
2. Joanna Klink, “Some Feel Rain”
Klink repeats the phrase some feel four times in the first five lines of this poem , using anaphora to create rhythm . Then, she uses it only twice more, fairly spread out, in the remainder of the 27-line poem, perhaps to demonstrate how one gradually shakes off the concept of individualism as one enters Nature:
Some feel rain. Some feel the beetle startle
in its ghost-part when the bark
slips. Some feel musk. Asleep against
each other in the whiskey dark, scarcely there.
When it falls apart, some feel the moondark air
3. Jamaica Kincaid, Autobiography of My Mother
Epanalepsis often appears in aphorisms . In this line from a novel about staking out one’s identity in an unjust world, Kincaid delivers a perfectly dense and concise truism:
The inevitable is no less a shock just because it is inevitable .
4. Javier Zamora, “[Immigration Headline]”
This prose poem of powerful social commentary―which appears as a series of poems―uses several types of repetition to sustain a rhythm and express frustration with the way things never change. In the first entry of the series, Zamora repeats the line “yo soy un bicho migrante”―“I am a migrant bug” in English.
5. Carson McCuller, A Member of the Wedding
In this passage, McCullers uses polysyndeton to help the reader remember what it’s like to be a restless 12-year-old girl:
It was four o'clock in the afternoon and the kitchen was square and gray and quiet. Frankie sat at the table with her eyes half closed, and she thought about a wedding.
Further Resources on Repetition
See how many types of repetition you can identify by listening to Javier Zamora read “[Immigration Headline],” courtesy of the Poetry Foundation .
BookFox offers a list of 17 literary examples of repetition .
Related Terms
- Juxtaposition
- Parallelism
What is repetition? At its simplest, repetition is a word or phrase used multiple times in a text, for the purpose of emphasizing an emotion or idea. It might seem counterintuitive to repeat, repeat, repeat, but when wielded correctly, the repetition of words and phrases has powerful effects in literature.
You’re most likely to find examples of repetition in poetry, but both poetry and prose utilize the same devices, like epizeuxis, anadiplosis, and chiasmus. We’ll dive into those strange Greek words in a minute, but before dissecting the types of repetition, let’s properly define repetition in literature. What is repetition?
Repetition Definition
When a writer utilizes repetition, they’re putting multiple iterations of a word or phrase in close proximity to each other. In other words, a word or phrase is repeated to provide clarity and emphasis, highlighting deeper meanings in the text.
Repetition is an instance where a word or phrase is repeated to provide clarity and emphasis, highlighting deeper meanings in the text.
Now, repetition can be both subtle and obvious, and writers can get very creative about what those repeating words signify. For example, take this excerpt from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “ The Rime of the Ancient Mariner ”:
In 11 words, “alone” is repeated 4 times, while “all” and “wide” are repeated twice each. Each word contributes its own importance to the poem. “All” emphasizes the intensity of the speaker’s aloneness, and while the word “alone” highlights the speaker’s solitude, “wide” highlights the vast amount of space between the speaker and anything else. The repetition here evokes the image of an insignificant dot floating in an endless nothingness—a loneliness without end.
It’s easy to find examples of repetition in poetry and in prose, but it’s much easier to execute repetition in poetry. Because poetry has greater freedom in syntax and structure, poets have more tools at their disposal to repeat themselves effectively.
Now, let’s take a look at the types of repetition in literature—both prose and poetry—before looking at more repetition examples in each genre.
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10 Types of Repetition in Literature
Repetition literary devices have existed since the dawn of literature, and they were especially prominent in both Ancient Greece and Rome. These devices exist partially because of their emphatic value, and partially because literature was often retold orally, so repetition helped storytellers remember “what comes next” as they recited their work.
As such, the following devices all have Greek names. For the modern English speaker, this makes remembering each device a bit confusing—how am I supposed to know my antistrophe from my antanaclasis?
As such, we’ve defined each device next to the word itself, making these types of repetition easier to navigate. In addition to using these devices in your writing, you can also impress your friends by telling them what they just said is an antimetabole.
Repetition examples in literature are included with each device below.
1. Anadiplosis—Repetition in Successive Clauses
Anadiplosis is when a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses. Usually, the phrase shows up at the end of one clause and the beginning of the next.
You’ll find anadiplosis often in classic literature, and this device is especially prevalent in the Bible. Take this excerpt from the Book of Genesis (1:1-2):
In this passage, “the earth” ends the first sentence and starts the second. This puts the earth at the center of the text, emphasizing its importance and outsized presence in Genesis.
Anadiplosis can also be used to offer a sense of placement. Take this example, from the poem “ The Isles of Greece ” by Lord Byron:
In this excerpt, the reader can view the arrangement of the landscape. We see Marathon literally situated between the mountains and the sea, because it’s situated that same way in the text, which also emphasizes Marathon’s importance to the poem itself.
2. Anaphora—Repetition at the Beginning of Lines or Clauses
For the most part, anaphora is an example of repetition in poetry. This device involves the repeated use of a word or phrase at the beginning of each line in a poem, or each sentence in prose.
Let’s look at repetition examples for each. In poetry, anaphora is present in the piece “ The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee ” by N. Scott Momaday. Read this poem at our article Literary Devices in Poetry .
In prose, consider this sentence from the novel Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler:
The repeating phrase “I needed” highlights the narrator’s desperation, especially since each need is a luxury only afforded to the wealthy and comfortable. The following sentence, which describes the narrator’s belongings, offers insight into the narrator’s psyche and behavior—we know his needs and what he has to obtain those needs.
3. Antanaclasis—Successive Repetition of a Word, In Which Each Use Has a Different Meaning
One word can have many different meanings, especially in the English language. Did you know that the word “set” has 430 different usages described in the Oxford English Dictionary?
Antanaclasis harnesses this facet of language so that each repetition of words has a different meaning.
Take this example from Robert Frost’s poem “ Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening .”
The repetition of the last line, and particularly the phrase “I sleep,” clues the reader towards two different meanings. The first “I sleep” is clearly referring to rest, while the second “I sleep” probably refers to the speaker’s death. This double meaning of “sleep” suggests the speaker has much more work to do before he can comfortably rest, both at night and at the end of his life.
4. Antimetabole—Phrases or Sentences Repeated in Reverse Grammatical Order
Antimetabole is when phrases or sentences are repeated in reverse order, with the intent of juxtaposing different meanings. In both clauses, the grammatical structure is exactly the same. This device is closely related to chiasmus, but with a slight difference that we explain later below.
This repetition literary device is much easier to demonstrate than to define. See the below examples, each of which uses inverted word order to emphasize a certain point:
This quote, spoken by Festes in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night , repeats “wit” and “fool” in inverse order. The effect is that Festes underlines the importance of wit, and that foolishness and wit are not mutually exclusive: a “fool” or clown can be witty, which is far better than actually being a foolish person.
Here’s another example of antimetabole, from Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God :
Hurston’s novel frequently dwells on the themes of gender and society, and this quote sums up the novel’s attitude nicely. At a time when women were viewed as subservient to their husbands, Hurston is saying that women are fully in control of their fate, feelings, and thoughts, defying the typical gender roles of that era. The antimetabole of “forget” and “remember” reinforces that sense of control.
5. Antistrophe—Repetition at the Ends of Lines or Clauses
Antistrophe—also known as epistrophe or epiphora—is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or clauses. Like anaphora, the effect of antistrophe is the emphasis of a recurring idea.
You’ll find an example of antistrophe in the short poem “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks:
The word “We” starts each sentence, but ends each line—except the last line. This repetition emphasizes two things. First, it shows the reader the speaker’s lack of identity: he can only identify as a weak “we,” and that “we” centers itself around youthful rebellion.
Second, it highlights the poet’s attitude towards the boys. There is no “we” after the phrase “die soon,” which underscores the poem’s finality and the poet’s belief that the boys will ruin their own lives.
6. Chiasmus—Phrases or Sentences Repeated in Reverse Order
Chiasmus, like antimetabole, is the repetition of a phrase in reverse order. By inverting a phrase, the writer juxtaposes different or opposite meanings.
Unlike antimetabole, a chiasmus does not have to invert a phrase grammatically. The two clauses can have different lengths and structures. As such, antimetabole is often viewed as a stricter form of chiasmus.
Let’s look at an example of each, side-by-side. The following, from Shakespeare’s Macbeth , is an example of both chiasmus and antimetabole, because each inverted clause preserves the same grammatical structure:
Now, this next quote, from Aeschylus, is an example of chiasmus, but not of antimetabole, because each inverted clause has a different grammatical structure:
To summarize: a chiasmus is also an antimetabole, but not every antimetabole is a chiasmus.
7. Epanalepsis—Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a clause or sentence
Epanalepsis refers to repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a line, clause, or sentence. This is a feature of some other types of repetition—chiasmus and antimetabole, in particular, will often feature an epanalepsis.
This repetition device is just as useful for poets and storytellers as it is for rhetoricians. Here are a few examples:
“Beloved is mine; she is Beloved.” — Beloved by Toni Morrison
“Possessed by what we now no more possessed.” —” The Gift Outright ” by Robert Frost
“Nothing can be created out of nothing.” —Lucretius
“Music I heard with you was more than music. And bread I broke with you was more than bread.” —“ Bread and Music ” by Conrad Aiken
“Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.” —John F. Kennedy
The most obvious reason for using epanalepsis is emphasis on an important concept or keyword. That said, pay attention to how this repetition device adds a sense of rhythm and musicality to language. Something about the echoing of important words adds movement and tension to the sentence, making it moving and evocative.
8. Epimone—Repetition for the Purpose of Dwelling
Epimone, a device most often used in dialogue, occurs when the speaker repeats themselves for the purpose of dwelling on a point. This repetition doesn’t contribute anything new to the speaker’s argument, but it often shows us how the speaker truly feels.
Here’s an example from Romeo & Juliet :
In addition to several epizeuxis examples (defined below), this quote has several examples of epimone. The repeating “woeful,” “O day,” and “O woeful day” phrases don’t contribute anything new to what the nurse is saying, but it does underscore how terrible the day is for her.
Epimone is best used as an element in dialogue to humanize characters. In real life, people repeat themselves for emphasis, and using epimone reflects this human tendency.
9. Epizeuxis—Words Repeated in Quick Succession
Epizeuxis, also known as diacope, is the repetition of words in quick succession.
There are countless repetition examples of epizeuxis in the poem “ The Bells ” by Edgar Allan Poe. Each stanza ends with some variation of the following:
Here, the immediate repetition of “bells” is an epizeuxis. Try to read this stanza as though each iteration of “bells” was a bell jingling: the stanza becomes vibrant, exciting, and perhaps even overwhelming, as it is both figuratively and literally consumed by the bells.
10. Polyptoton—The Inclusion of Multiple Words with the Same Root
Polyptoton is the use of two or more words that, though different, share the same root. The words “bare & barely” have the same root; so do the word pairs “battle & embattled” and “lunar & lunatic.”
Polyptoton was a common facet of Latin and Greek poetry, since one word has hundreds of forms in each language. However, modern literature has examples of polyptoton, too. Take this excerpt from T. S. Eliot’s poem “The Dry Salvages”:
There are four examples of polyptoton here: “wither & withering”, “pain & painless”, “drift & drifting”, and “prayer, prayable, & Prayer.”
What is the effect of repetition with polyptoton? By using different forms of the same word, the writer can suggest an evolving relationship between those words. The flowers, withered, are still withering; the sea, which drifts, brings drifting wreckage. Polyptoton adds dimension to the meanings of words, providing contrast and emphasis to what those words signify.
11. Symploce—Repetition at Both the Beginnings and Ends of Clauses
Symploce occurs when a writer uses both anaphora and antistrophe at the same time. By using symploce, the writer highlights nuances of meaning and the differences between the two repeating phrases.
Because symploce happens at both the beginning and end of a line or sentence, it most often occurs as repetition in poetry. Here’s an example of a poem, “Sonnet 62” by Bartholomew Griffin, that has symploce in each line:
“Sonnet 62” uses an anaphora with “most true” and an antistrophe with “love.” Each line slightly alters the relationship between truth and love, presenting a series of juxtapositions and paradoxes that complicates the speaker’s relationship to Fidessa. By writing this sonnet as a perfect symploce, Griffin is able to capture that complexity and his evolving relationship to love itself.
What is the Effect of Repetition?
Repetition in literature offers a variety of powerful rhetorical strategies . In the above repetition examples, we’ve seen this device do the following:
- Emphasize key themes and ideas
- Underscore the relationship between ideas
- Emulate sounds and experiences
- Invert ideas for emphasis
- Juxtapose ideas to challenge the reader
- Play with multiple meanings and ambiguities
- Situate an important setting in the text, both figuratively and literally
- Suggest a character’s interiority
Repetition can do all of the above, and much more. What makes repetition in poetry and prose so powerful is that it emphasizes other devices and ideas in the text.
Since the main effect of repetition is emphasis, writers should harness the repetition of words to underscore what their work is trying to accomplish. By skillfully repeating words and phrases, writers can clue the reader towards what they’re trying to say in their work, using the tools of rhetoric in artistic and literary ways.
Wield Repetition at Writers.com
Repetition is a powerful literary device , but if you have too many repeating words and phrases, your work can lose its impact. Writers.com can help! Become a part of our community: Take a look at our upcoming courses or join our Facebook group , and receive caring feedback on your work and repetition.
Sean Glatch
[…] Repetition Definition: Types of Repetition in Poetry and Prose […]
Fascinating piece.
For an understanding of ancient Greek words and how they are derived, check out Greek Alphabet: Unlock the Secrets by Julia DeVonne—an explanation of the symbolic meaning of Greek letters and how they are combined to form words. (Available on Amazon.com)
Wonderfully explained.
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What Is Repetition in a Story: Definition and Examples of Repetition in Literature
by Fija Callaghan
Updated Aug 22, 2022
Repetition as a literary device is present in almost every kind of writing, be it a novel, short story, poem, or essay that we’ve come to know and love. When it’s used effectively, we often don’t even realize it’s there. Repetition can be present in words, phrases, sounds, images, or themes. It’s what gives stories a sense of unity and persuades the reader of their message.
But hang on—isn’t repetitive writing a bad thing? Don’t we want our stories to be fresh and new all the time?
Poorly used repetition can absolutely drag down a piece of writing, while repetition used with intention and precision can elevate it to the next level. Let’s look at the repetition definition with some helpful examples, and how repetition works in a story to make it more powerful, memorable, and evocative. By the end of this article, you’ll have learned how to use repetition in a story like a pro.
What is repetition in writing?
In literary terms, repetition refers to a recurring element in a piece of writing . At the line level this might be a sound, word, or phrase; at the broader story level this might be an image, setting, or idea.
We see repetition used all the time in both poetry and classic literature, as well as famous speeches and persuasive arguments in politics. This is because repetition helps drive an idea into the reader or the listener’s mind. For example, this famous line from a speech by Bill Clinton in 1995:
“When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it.”
He uses repeated words like “talk,” “us,” and “stand” to encourage solidarity and courage in his listeners. The specific type of repetition he’s used here is called “symploce.” We’ll look at some more types of repetition you can use in a story later on in this article.
One of the other kinds of writing that repetition is most recognizable in is classic fairy tales. You’ll notice that there are always three wishes, three goats crossing the troll bridge, three chances to prove yourself to the fairy in disguise. These stories stay with us forever because of their use of repetition.
Why use repetition in a story?
In literature, repetition works to add emphasis to key ideas. In narration, this can help underline your central themes or enhance the mood of a story. In dialogue, repetition can reveal a lot about character.
For example, the famous children’s book series Madeline always opens with the same several lines:
In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed.
The repeating words help emphasize the sense of order, discipline, and routine. Here the repetition also works to create rhythm and make the words easier for children to remember.
In dialogue, a character’s word choice can reveal their strengths, weaknesses, or the way they want to be perceived by the world around them. For example, stuttering is an example of unintentional repetition of words or sounds that can help define a character’s distinctive voice . A character might also repeatedly apologize when they’re uncertain, or repeatedly use certain words to sound more intellectual or sophisticated.
A famous example of a character’s repeated word choice is in the film The Princess Bride , in which one of the central villains (played by the iconic Wallace Shawn), repeatedly uses the word “inconceivable.” It becomes a trademark of his character and shows us how he wants to project himself to the world.
We’ll show you some more repetition examples in literature below.
Line-level repetition vs. structural repetition
Repetition can happen in a story in two different ways. Line-level repetition is when the same word, sound, or phrase is used to create emphatic effect. Structural repetition is when the same image, symbol, or literary device is repeated throughout the story to highlight its underlying themes.
We’ll look at a few ways to use line-level repetition through recurring words, vowel sounds, or consonant sounds, and how to use repetition on a broader scale to give depth to your story.
Anaphora, epistrophe, and epizeuxis
These three literary devices refer to ways the same words or successive clauses can be used in a piece of writing.
Anaphora is a literary device that uses repeated words or phrases at the beginning of a string of successive sentences . This means that each sentence will begin with the same word or phrase, creating a rhythmic effect and putting emphasis on a central idea.
A good example is the satirical poem “Litany,” by American poet Billy Collins:
You are the bread and the knife, the crystal goblet and the wine. You are the dew on the morning grass and the burning wheel of the sun. You are the white apron of the baker, and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.
Three sentences in a row begin with “you are,” which sets a comfortable rhythm for the poem and shows the reader what the poem is going to be about.
Epistrophe is the opposite of anaphora. Instead of repeating sections at the beginning of a sentence, you repeat sections of two or more words at the very end . Here’s an example from a play by William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice :
If you had known the virtue of the ring, Or half her worthiness that gave the ring, Or your own honour to contain the ring, You would not then have parted with the ring.
In this example of repetition, the speaker lands each sentence on “the ring,” putting emphasis on the importance of this pivotal plot device.
When anaphora and epistrophe are both used in the same sentence, it’s called symploce . Bill Clinton’s speech, which we looked at above, is an example of symploce.
Epizeuxis works like anaphora and epistrophe, but instead of clauses or phrases, it’s only one single word that’s repeated . This might be something like a character saying, “I would never lie to you. Never, never, never.” The repetition of the word “never” illustrates the importance of this concept to the character and how much they strive to get the idea across.
The most famous example of epizeuxis in literature is Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells,” where he uses repetition of a word to create a bell-like rhythm within the poem:
Yet the ear distinctly tells, In the jangling, And the wrangling. How the danger sinks and swells, By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells— Of the bells— Of the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells— In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!
Here, the repetition works for both emphasis and the sound we hear in our ears as we read it.
Alliteration, assonance, and consonance
These three literary devices take an even closer look at sentence mechanics. They refer to ways a repeating vowel sound or consonant sound can be used to create rhythm in a story or poem.
Alliteration
Alliteration means beginning a series of words or short phrases with the same initial letter or sound. Many of our classic children’s nursery rhymes rely on alliteration: “She sells seashells by the sea shore” uses a mixed alliteration of S sounds and Sh sounds. You’ll notice that alliteration is also popular in marketing; for instance, “Coca-Cola” or “Bed, Bath, and Beyond.” This is because alliteration makes things stick in our ear.
Here’s a literary example of alliteration from The Great Gatsby :
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
The same opening sounds over and over give the line a poetic quality and makes it stand out to the ear.
Assonance means using repeated vowel sounds . This can be anywhere within the line, and it gives the piece a sense of unity to the ear. Note that like alliteration, assonance refers to the sound and not necessarily the letter . For instance, “a peaceful sleep beneath a tree” contains repeating E sounds, even though they’re not all spelled the same way.
Here’s an example from Sylvia Plath’s poem, “The Disquieting Muses”:
When on tiptoe the schoolgirls danced, Blinking flashlights like fireflies
In the first half she uses soft I sounds in “girls” and “blinking,” and then hard I sounds in “lights” and “fireflies.”
Consonance is the opposite of assonance; both refer to repetition of sounds, but this is the repetition of consonant sounds rather than vowels. Like assonance, consonance refers strictly to the sound in the ear rather than the letters in the eye.
Irish poet Seamus Heaney uses consonance in his poem “Blackberry Picking”:
The fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour. I always felt like crying. It wasn’t fair
He uses a repeating F consonant sound and hard T consonant sound that give the poem a sharp quality which matches the story being told. You can use these repeated vowels and consonants to emulate the mood of the piece.
You don’t need to memorize each of these literary devices to use them effectively in your story (although if you manage to causally drop “epizeuxis” into a sentence, your friends will be super impressed), but this gives you an idea of what mindful repetition is capable of and how you can use it in your work.
Thematic repetition
Repetition can be marvelously effective in creating powerful sentences and paragraphs. Another use for them is on a larger scale by repeating certain images or ideas within your story. When writers use a symbol multiple times throughout a narrative, it’s called a motif .
Other ways to use thematic repetition may be to include the same setting multiple times. For instance, the book Ladies’ Night at Finbar’s Hotel is a collection of short interlocking stories all set at the same hotel, but from different perspectives. You can explore ways to refer back to the same place several times throughout your story, giving it a deeper meaning for the reader each time.
Another great use for thematic repetition is if you’re trying to find a way to end your story . You can use repeating elements to bring it together and give it a sense of completion.
For instance, if your story opened with your main character coming back to their childhood home, you may choose to end your story by showing them walking away from it forever. The image from your story is now inverted to create a different meaning. Alternatively, you could show them returning to their childhood home after a short walk and deciding to stay there forever. This gives a repeating image from your story new depth.
Any time you want to enhance the emotion of your story, look for ways you can repeat images or ideas in new, powerful ways.
Effective examples of repetition in literature
As you can see, all these different types of repetition are tricks that writers can use to engage readers, create rhythm, and support the theme of your story. Let’s look at some repetition examples of how a few writers have used these techniques in their literary work, both in poetry and prose.
The Song of Hiawatha , by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Should you ask me, whence these stories? Whence these legends and traditions, With the odors of the forest With the dew and damp of meadows, With the curling smoke of wigwams, With the rushing of great rivers, With their frequent repetitions, And their wild reverberations As of thunder in the mountains? I should answer, I should tell you, “From the forests and the prairies, From the great lakes of the Northland, From the land of the Ojibways, From the land of the Dacotahs, From the mountains, moors, and fen-lands Where the heron, the Shuh-shuh-gah, Feeds among the reeds and rushes.”
Longfellow’s Indiginous-inspired epic uses repetition to imitate the sound of a story sung around a campfire. In this opening stanza, he explains that he heard the tale he’s about to tell from tribes living in the woods and mountains. You can see how repetition is used by reading the full poem online here .
Art Matters , by Neil Gaiman
Life is sometimes hard. Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health and in all the other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough, this is what you should do… Make good art. I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician? Make good art. Leg crushed and then eaten by a mutated boa constrictor? Make good art. IRS on your trail? Make good art. Cat exploded? Make good art. Somebody on the internet thinks what you do is stupid or evil or it’s all been done before? Make good art. Probably things will work out somehow, and eventually time will take the sting away, but that doesn’t matter. Do what only you do best. Make good art. Make it on the good days too.
Neil Gaiman’s memoir/self-help book/artistic manifesto champions the act of creating art even in the darkest of times. Writing “Make good art” over and over shows the reader that no matter what traumatic and potentially ridiculous challenges life throws at you, this is what truly matters. The repetitive question-and-answer format underlines the thematic idea that creation will always be the answer.
Fresh Water For Flowers , by Valérie Perrin
But he could be written to, his mail was being forwarded. What could I write to him? Julien, I’m crazy, I’m alone, I’m impossible, You believed me, and I did everything I could so you would. Julien, I was so happy in your car. Julien, I was so happy with you on my sofa. Julien, I was so happy with you in my bed. Julien, You are young. But I don’t think we care.
Valérie Perrin’s experimental novel uses repetition in creative ways to take us into the mind of the central character as she works to uncover her feelings. In this section, she repeats the name to create almost a pounding effect in her head; other re-used phrases, such as “I was so happy,” reveal the protagonist’s blooming new understanding.
Use repetition to create rhythm in your story
Language is pretty fascinating, and there’s a whole range of tools that you can use to enhance your story. With artful repetition you can persuade your reader of arguments or ideas, as well as create a feeling of coherence and unity from beginning to end.
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Literary Devices
Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of repetition.
Repetition consists of repeating a word, phrase, or sentence, and is common in both poetry and prose . It is a rhetorical technique to add emphasis, unity, and/or power. Due to this definition of repetition, it is a common technique for orators to use. There have been examples of repetition throughout the course of human history, as it is a good way to help remember a story, particular lines of a story, or a story in song form. Thus, repetition has been an essential part of oral storytelling and can be found in legends, folk tales, and religious texts.
Different Types of Repetition
There are unique terms for many different types of repetition, most of them from Greek origin.
- Anaphora : Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several subsequent lines. Martin Luther King Junior’s speech “I Have a Dream” is a famous example, as he repeats “I have a dream” at the beginning of several lines.
- Mesodiplosis : Repetition of a word in the middle of every line of clause. For example: “we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
- Epistrophe : Repetition of a word at the end of every line or clause. For example: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
- Symploce : A combination of anaphora and epistrophe, symploce is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a line and the repetition of another phrase at the end of the line. For example, symploce occurs in the following statement from Bill Clinton: “When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it.”
- Antanaclasis : From the Greek for “bending back,” this is repetition of the same word, but with different denotations or connotations, often as a type of pun. For example, “Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?” (Groucho Marx)
- Antistasis : More extreme than antanaclasis, this is the repetition of words in opposite senses. For example: “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” (Benjamin Franklin)
- Negative-Positive Restatement : Repetition of an idea in a negative way first, and then in a positive way. An example is JFK’s famous line “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
- Epizeuxis or palilogia : Repetition of the same word or phrase without any words in between. For example, the first three words of the folk song “Row, row, row your boat.”
- Diacope : Similar to epizeuxis, this is the repetition of a word or phrase with only one or two words between the repeated words. “Diacope” comes from the Greek for “to cut in two.” The famous line from Shakespeare’s rendition of the St. Crispin’s Day speech in Henry V is an example: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
- Conduplicatio : Repetition of one word in different places throughout a line or paragraph. Elie Weisel used this technique in his The Perils of Indifference : “I am filled with a profound and abiding gratitude to the American people. Gratitude is a word that I cherish. Gratitude is what defines the humanity of the human being.”
- Anadiplosis or gradatio : Repetition of the last word of one line as the first word of the next. For example, the proverb “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
- Epanalepsis : Repetition of the first word or words of a line also at the end of that line. For example, “Nothing can be created out of nothing.” (Lucretius)
- Diaphora : Repetition of a name to refer to the person and then to the meaning of the name. The colloquialism “Boys will be boys” is an example of diaphora.
- Epimone : Repetition of a phrase question for emphasis or to dwell on a point. From the Greek for “delay.” An example of epimone is Sojourner Truth’s speech from the Women’s Convention in 1851 where she repeated the rhetorical question “And ain’t I a woman?” several times over.
- Polyptoton : Repetition of words with the same root but different forms. For example, “With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder.” (William Shakespeare, Richard II )
Poetic Forms that Use Repetition
The following poetic forms include repetition as necessary to their structure:
- Villanelle : A nineteen-line poem in which two lines four times each in a specific pattern. See this example of repetition below (Example #3).
- Sestina : A complex thirty-nine line poem broken into six stanzas of six lines each and one final stanza with three lines. Each line ends with one of six words, and these six words rotate in order. The final stanza includes all six words (with only three of them acting as the final words of the lines). Therefore, each word is repeated a minimum of seven times throughout the poem.
- Triolet : An eight-line poem wherein the first, fourth, and seventh lines are identical, as are the second and eighth. Therefore, the first two lines and final two lines are identical couplets.
- Ghazal : Originating in 6 th -century Arabic verse , a ghazal is made up of five or more couplets where the final word of every couplet is the same.
Repetition Examples from Literature
But for now Anders can still make time. Time for the shadows to lengthen on the grass, time for the tethered dog to bark at the flying ball, time for the boy in right field to smack his sweat-blackened mitt and softly chant, They is, They is, They is .
(“Bullet to the Brain” by Tobias Wolff)
This excerpt of Wolff’s “Bullet to the Brain” contains the final two lines of the short story. The types of repetition represented here are anadiplosis, anaphora, and epizeuxis. The protagonist of the story has been reflecting on a grammatical error he heard as a young boy, and now in the last few moments of his life the phrase keeps repeating itself in his head. The effect in the story is to mimic the protagonist’s thought pattern as his brain starts to shut down.
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
(“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes)
Hughes uses different types of repetition here, including anaphora and conduplicatio. The effect of repetition in this poem is to make the poem sound as though it’s coming from a storyteller.
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
(“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas)
Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” is one of the most famous villanelles ever written. The repeated lines “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” continue to build intensity throughout the poem until the power of the final couplet.
How the danger sinks and swells, By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells, Of the bells, Of the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells— In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!
(“The Bells” by Edgar Allen Poe)
This famous poem by Edgar Allen Poe features many different repetition examples, including epizeuxis, conduplicatio, and polyptoton. The word “bells” is repeated 62 times throughout the poem, often without words in between (epizeuxis). This particular type of repetition helps to make the poem sound much like the tolling of bells.
Test Your Knowledge in Repetition
1. Which repetition definition fits most aptly with the term anaphora? A. A repeated word or phrase at the beginning of several lines. B. A repeated word in the middle of every line or clause. C. A repeated word at the end of every line or clause.
2. Consider the following line from “The Bells”:
How the danger sinks and swells,— By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells
What definition of repetition is this an example of?
A . Epizeuxis B. Conduplicatio C. Polyptoton
3. Look again at Dylan Thomas’s villanelle “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” Using that poem as a guide, which of the following structures is correct for the villanelle form? (Note: capital letters are used to note the repeated lines and lowercase letters to express the rhymes).
A. A b C / d e F / g h I / j k L / m n O / p q R S B. A1 b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 A2 C. A1 b C1 / d e A2 / f g C2 / h i A3 / j k C3 / l m A4 C4
- Literary Terms
- Definition & Examples
- When & How to Use Repetition
I. What is Repetition?
Quite simply, repetition is the repeating of a word or phrase. It is a common rhetorical device used to add emphasis and stress in writing and speech. Repetition is widely used in both poetry and prose; throughout all genres and forms of literature and oral tradition. Aside from helping stress or highlight important thoughts and points, repetition can be a key tool for authors and speakers in developing style, tone, and rhythm.
II. Example of Repetition
Read the short passage below:
The big stairs led up to a big house with a big front door. Breathe, breathe, breathe, I told myself. I only have to stay for one second, be afraid for one second, not scream for one second. I can do it. I can win the bet. I can prove I’m brave.
The passage above uses several different styles of repetition to show the narrator’s anxiety. By repeating what the character thinks and sees, the author makes the situation more interesting.
III. Common Types of Repetition
There are many types of repetition in rhetoric, but below are some of the most common.
a. Epizeuxis
Epizeuxis is the repetition of a word in sequence. For example, “ Why , why , why ?!”
b. Anaphora
Anaphora is the repetition of a word at the beginning of each phrase or clause. For example, “She looked to the left, she looked to the right, she looked straight ahead.”
c. Mesodiplosis
Mesodiplosis is the repetition of a word in the middle of each phrase or clause. For example, “One, but not two; three, but not four; five, but not six.”
d. Epistrophe
Epistrophe is the repetition of a word at the end of each phrase or clause. For example, “Every day I’m happy because you love me , I’m more fulfilled because you love me , I have everything because you love me .”
IV. Importance of Repetition
Repetition is an important literary device because it allows a writer or speaker to place emphasis on things they choose as significant. It tells the reader or audience that the words being used are central enough to be repeated, and lets them know when to pay special attention to the language. Furthermore, repetition has historically been an important technique for oral tradition, as it helped storytellers remember details and lines that may have otherwise been difficult to repeat.
V. Examples in Literature
Celebrated classic children’s author Dr. Seuss frequently uses repetition in his quirky and eccentric stories. Below is a selection from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish that demonstrates Dr. Seuss’s well-known, one-of-a-kind style:
One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish, Black fish, Blue fish, Old fish, New fish. This one has a little car. This one has a little star. Say! What a lot of fish there are. Yes. Some are red, and some are blue. Some are old and some are new. Some are sad, and some are glad, And some are very, very bad.
Dr. Seuss uses a combination of repetition and rhyming to craft this catchy story that everyone knows. One of the reasons his books are so unique is that he makes use of several types of repetition, which together create a whimsical, silly sounding style.
In the famous opening to A Tale of Two Cities , Charles Dickens utilizes repetition to add stress and emphasis to the positives and negatives of the time.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—
Dickens’ famous words “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” remain some of the most celebrated lines in literature to this day. The way he repeats the phrase “it was” makes his words stronger, more memorable, more effective, and more convincing.
VI. Examples of Repetition in Pop Culture
Repetition is a very popular way of adding stress and power when delivering a speech. Throughout history, people have used repetition to make sure that their audiences will remember and repeat their phrases and ideas; for example Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”:
By repeating “I have a dream” throughout his speech, Martin Lurther King Jr. connects himself to these words and makes them stick in the audience’s minds.
In the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally , Harry uses repetition to strengthen his grand New Year’s Eve speech to Sally:
By repeating the words “I love that…” over and over again, Harry is placing emphasis on the fact that he loves everything about Sally, good and bad. He repeats these words over and over with the hopes that she will realize that what he is saying is real and true, and that she will return his love.
VII. Related Terms
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, which creates rhyme. For example, “ the black cat had the rat’s bag;” “how now brown cow?” “do you do voodoo?”
Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound at the middle or end of a word. For example, “ the cook broke his back;” “the duck struck some luck.”
- Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of a word. For example, “Lucy lacked love,” “the sand sizzled under the strong sun;” “the fox fixed the fax.” Alliteration is perhaps the most used form of sound repetition. One of the most popular examples is Mother Goose’s well-known nursery rhyme—
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers; A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked; If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
Oftentimes, writers use some combination of the three types of sound repetition. For instance, “Splish splash splish splash” uses assonance, consonance, and alliteration all at once.
List of Terms
- Amplification
- Anachronism
- Anthropomorphism
- Antonomasia
- APA Citation
- Aposiopesis
- Autobiography
- Bildungsroman
- Characterization
- Circumlocution
- Cliffhanger
- Comic Relief
- Connotation
- Deus ex machina
- Deuteragonist
- Doppelganger
- Double Entendre
- Dramatic irony
- Equivocation
- Extended Metaphor
- Figures of Speech
- Flash-forward
- Foreshadowing
- Intertextuality
- Juxtaposition
- Literary Device
- Malapropism
- Onomatopoeia
- Parallelism
- Pathetic Fallacy
- Personification
- Point of View
- Polysyndeton
- Protagonist
- Red Herring
- Rhetorical Device
- Rhetorical Question
- Science Fiction
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
- Synesthesia
- Turning Point
- Understatement
- Urban Legend
- Verisimilitude
- Essay Guide
- Cite This Website
Definition of Repetition Repetition is a literary tool that repeats the same words or terms a few instances to make an concept clearer and extra memorable. There are several forms of repetition normally used in each prose and poetry. As a rhetorical device, it could be a word, a word, or a complete sentence, or a poetical line repeated to emphasise its significance in the entire text. Repetition isn't always prominent totally as a discern of speech, however extra as a rhetorical tool. Types of Repetition The following examples of repetition are classified in step with the different forms of repetition used, both in literature and in every day conversations. Anadiplosis: Repetition of the ultimate phrase in a line or clause. Anaphora: Repetition of phrases at the start of clauses or verses. Antistasis: Repetition of phrases or phrases in contrary sense. Diacope: Repetition of words damaged by using a few other words. Epanalepsis: Repetition of the identical phrases at the beginning and the stop of a sentence. Epimone: Repetition of a word (normally a question) to strain a point. Epiphora: Repetition of the equal phrase at the quit of every clause. Gradatio: A creation in poetry wherein the closing phrase of one clause becomes the first of the next, and so on. Negative-Positive Restatement: Repetition of an idea first in bad terms, after which in tremendous terms. Polyptoton: Repetition of phrases of the same root, with special endings. Symploce: A combination of anaphora and epiphora, in which repetition is each at the stop and at the start. Short Examples of Repetition in Poetry If you think you could do it, you could do it. The boy turned into an amazing footballer, due to the fact his father was a footballer, and his grandfather turned into a footballer. The bird said, “I don’t sing due to the fact I am happy, I am happy because I sing.” The politician declared, “We will combat come what may also, we are able to fight on all fronts, we will fight for a thousand years.” The choose commanded, stamping his mallet on the table, “Order in the court, order in the court.” The refugees have been crossing into the neighboring country when they noticed blood all around — blood at the passageways, blood on the fields, blood on the When they came out of the cinema hall they all agreed, the movie changed into a waste of money, it changed into a waste of time and energy. The boy became terrified while he changed into taken to the hospital; he shuddered as a minimum sound, and he shuddered as a minimum breath of air into the room. The president stated, “Work, work, and work,” are the keys to success. The orator stated, “Good morning to the old, precise morning to the young, right morning to every and each one present.” The crew captain reiterated his clear up to win the match, win the tournament, and win the hearts of his people. The general said to his army, “Men — You must combat for the life of your people, your family, and your united states of america.” The boss repeated his routine advice, “Don’t come late, don’t leave early, and don’t postpone your work.” The students chanted to raise the spirits of their crew in the course of the match, “We will win, we will win.” The new boss says that, in this organization, the wrong man or woman turned into appointed for the incorrect job, following the incorrect procedure, however this could no longer occur again. Examples of Repetition in Literature Example #1: One Art (By Elizabeth Bishop) “The artwork of losing isn’t hard to master; so many things appear full of the intent to be lost that their loss isn't any disaster… Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The artwork of dropping isn’t difficult to master though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.” In this example, the poet has time and again used the refraining line “The art of losing isn’t hard to master” for the duration of the poem. This refraining line creates rhythm, and emphasizes the idea. Notice that this line, however, varies slightly within the final stanza, but is still taken into consideration to be a chorus. Example #2: Annabel Lee (By Edgar Allan Poe) “It changed into many and many a 12 months ago, In a kingdom by means of the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you could know … I became a child and she became a child, In this kingdom by way of the sea, But we cherished with a love that became extra than love — I and my Annabel Lee …” The poet is the usage of the refraining line “In a kingdom via the sea.” This appears within the 2d line of each stanza, and recurs in the final line of the 0.33 stanza, drawing readers’ attention, and contributing to its meter and rhythm. Example #3: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (By Dylan Thomas) “Do now not go gentle into that correct night time, Old age should burn and rave at near of day; Rage, rage towards the demise of the light… And you, my father, there at the unhappy height, Curse, bless, me now along with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that proper night. Rage, rage in opposition to the loss of life of the light.” This may be very a famous poem the use of repetitions of the chorus, “Do now not go mild into that excellent night,” and “Rage, rage towards the demise of the light.” These refrains make the poem catchy and smooth to remember. Example #4: Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening (By Robert Frost) “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I actually have promises to keep, And miles to go earlier than I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” Frost has used a repeated refrain in best the last stanza, as he utters, “And miles to go earlier than I sleep.” It offers rhythm to the poem, and lays emphasis on this concept of doing many things earlier than death. Example #5: Excelsior (By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) “The sun shades of night time have been falling fast… A banner with the strange tool, Excelsior! There in the twilight cold and gray, Lifeless, but lovely, he lay… A voice fell like a falling star, Excelsior!“ The poet makes use of chorus “Excelsior!” throughout the whole poem, creating rhythm and drawing the eye of readers. Example #6: The Properly Scholarly Attitude (By Adelaide Crapsey) “The poet pursues his stunning subject; The preacher his golden beatitude … Of the nicely scholarly attitude— The enormously desirable, the very advisable, The hardly ever acquirable, nicely scholarly attitude.” In this poem, Crapsey makes use of the chorus, “properly scholarly attitude” to highlight the topic of being a poet having proper scholarly attitude. Example #7: O Captain! My Captain! (By Walt Whitman) “O Captain! My Captain! rise up and pay attention the bells; Rise up — for you the flag is flung — for you the bugle trills…” The poet makes use of chorus in the course of this poem to emphasise the mournful subject matter. See the repetition of the phrases “captain,” “upward thrust up,” and “for you” in just these two lines. This topic continues in the course of. Example #8: 1940 Speech to House of Commons (By Winston Churchill) “We shall no longer flag or fail. We shall go directly to the cease. We shall combat in France, we shall combat on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing self assurance and growing energy in the air, we shall guard our island, some thing the price may also be, we shall fight at the beaches, we shall combat on the landing grounds, we shall combat inside the fields and in the streets, we shall fight inside the hills. We shall in no way surrender.” This is a lovely instance of repetition in prose, in which the speaker has repeated “we shall,” and “we shall combat” several times. Example #9: I Have a Dream speech (By Martin Luther King, Jr.) “I even have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification – one day proper there in Alabama little black boys and black ladies might be able to join palms with little white boys and white women as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I actually have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and each hill and mountain shall be made low, the tough places might be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the honour of the Lord will be found out and all flesh shall see it together.” In this famous speech with the aid of American civil rights chief Martin Luther King, Jr., he repeats the phrase “I even have a dream” some of times. This makes the speech very effective and memorable. Function of Repetition Refrain is only a poetic tool, and the most vital feature that a refrain can also serve in poetry is to put emphasis and create rhythm. When a line or word recurs in a poem, or a chunk of literature, it will become substantial to the readers. By the use of refrain, poets can make their thoughts memorable, and draw the attention of readers towards a certain idea. This is done with the aid of the use of a unmarried line recurrently all through a poetic work, permitting readers to take a pause each time they stumble upon such repetition.
- Alliteration
- Anachronism
- Antimetabole
- Aposiopesis
- Characterization
- Colloquialism
- Connotation
- Deus Ex Machina
- Didacticism
- Doppelganger
- Double Entendre
- Flash Forward
- Foreshadowing
- Internal Rhyme
- Juxtaposition
- Non Sequitur
- Onomatopoeia
- Parallelism
- Pathetic Fallacy
- Personification
- Poetic Justice
- Point of View
- Portmanteau
- Protagonist
- Red Herring
- Superlative
- Synesthesia
- Tragicomedy
- Tragic Flaw
- Verisimilitude
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Posted on May 31, 2019
29 Must-Know Examples of Repetition in Literature
Editing 101 will always tell you the same thing: avoid repetition in your writing. But make no mistake, repetition isn’t a pariah in the world of prose! In fact, when executed with finesse, it can make a piece of writing all the more compelling.
This post will take you through the basics of repetition. And because the best way to understand a literary device is to see it in skilled action, we’ll also cover 29 remarkable examples of repetition in literature. (To skip past the next section where we define repetition, you can jump straight to those examples !)
Repetition definition
Repetition is the act of repeating sounds, words, phrases, or full sentences. As a literary device , it’s used to stress key points, or to achieve a certain rhythm, tone, or style of prose — which is why you’ll often find it in poetry.
However, while it can be used to highlight important details or enhance rhythm, repetition needs to be done with care. If you accidentally repeat words or re-state the same information for readers over and over (and over) again, it can become jarring. For instance, if you’ve already told readers that a character has an unusual beauty mark on their shoulder, mention it once and leave it at that. Hearing about the beauty mark every time that character is in a scene is tiring. If it’s crucial to bring it up more than once, find new and interesting ways of bringing attention to it — instead of just stating its existence, maybe you can have another character comment on it.
If you’re going to repeat a word, phrase, or idea, it needs to have a purpose . Pinpoint exactly why it needs to be said again — or if there’s another way you present it that adds more to the narrative.
To figure out the right way to use this literary device, you first have to learn the different types of repetition.
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Types of repetition
Did you know that there are at least 15 main types of repetition? They fall into two categories: words and sounds. Let’s start with...
Repetition of Words
1. Anadiplosis The last word of a clause or sentence is repeated as the first word of the next one.
Example: "Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hatred; hatred leads to conflict; conflict leads to suffering." — Yoda, in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace .
2. Anaphora The word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences is repeated.
Example: “It rained on his lousy tombstone, and it rained on the grass on his stomach. It rained all over the place.” — The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
3. Antistasis The repetition of words or phrases in different or contrary senses.
Example: “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” — Benjamin Franklin
4. Conduplicatio The frequent repetition of a word or phrase within a paragraph, in order to expand upon its meaning.
Example: “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children." — Martin Luther King, Jr.
5. Diacope The repetition of words separated be additional words, which alter their meaning.
Example: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” — Henry V by Shakespeare
6. Epanalepsis The word both at the beginning and at the end of the clause or sentence is repeated.
Example: “Next time there won't be a next time.” — Phil Leotardo, in The Sopranos
7. Epimone The word or phrase is repeated to place emphasis on its meaning.
Example: “Mr. Dick shook his head, as utterly renouncing the suggestion; and having replied a great many times, and with great confidence, ‘No beggar, no beggar, no beggar, Sir!’” — David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (Are you a Dickens fan? Read up on 15 of his classics novels in our guide to Dickens !)
8. Epiphora The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of a series of clauses or sentences.
Example: If you did know to whom I gave the ring, If you did know for whom I gave the ring And would conceive for what I gave the ring And how unwillingly I left the ring, When naught would be accepted but the ring, You would abate the strength of your displeasure. — The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare
9. Epizeuxis The successive repetition of a word or phrase within one clause or sentence.
Example: “The horror, the horror.” — Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
10. Negative-Positive Restatement An idea or phrase is presented in negative terms, and then repeated in positive terms.
Example: “The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.” — The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
11. Polyptoton The same root word is repeated in different forms.
Example: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” — Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
12. Symploce The repetition of a word or phrase both at the end and at the beginning of a clause or sentence. (In other words, a combination of anaphora and epiphora.)
Example: "The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes…” — “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
Sound Repetition
Do you hear that? Is it bat, a rat, or a gnat? And speaking of sounds that repeat themselves, let’s take a look at...
13. Alliteration The successive repetition of consonant sounds in the stressed part of a word.
Example: “She sells seashells by the sea-shore.”
14. Assonance The vowel sounds are repeated.
Example: “"Hear the mellow wedding bells…” — “The Bells” by Edgar Allan Poe
15. Consonance The repetition of consonant sounds in successive or closely connected words. The difference between consonance and alliteration is that alliteration is at the beginning of the word (so “Peter Piper”), but consonance can be anywhere in the word.
Example: I'll swing by my ankles. She'll cling to your knees. As you hang by your nose, From a high-up trapeze. But just one thing, please, As we float through the breeze, Don't sneeze. — “The Acrobats” by Shel Silverstein
Okay, now that we’ve gotten seamlessly up to speed (pardon the alliteration), on the different types of repetition, let’s look at some exemplary examples from literature (pardon the polyptoton).
Repetition examples in literature
Let’s turn this section into a little quiz. Try to guess what kind of repetition each quote is using as you read through — the answers will be provided at the bottom!
Example #1: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
Example #2: The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
"They are not paid for thinking--they are not paid to fret about the world's concerns. They were not respectable people--they were not worthy people--they were not learned and wise and brilliant people--but in their breasts, all their stupid lives long, resteth a peace that passeth understanding!"
Example #3: Deep River by Shusaku Endo
“Hatred was spreading everywhere, blood was being spilled everywhere, wars were breaking out everywhere.”
Example #4: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Example #5: Beloved by Toni Morrison
“Beloved is mine; she is Beloved.”
Example #6: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
“What I present here is what I remember of the letter, and what I remember of the letter I remember verbatim (including that awful French).”
Example #7: Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy
“And stepping softly with her air of blooded ruin about the glade in a frail agony of grace she trailed her rags through dust and ashes…”
Answers: a) Epimone; b) Symploce; c) Epistrophe; d) Anaphora; e) Epanalepsis; f) Anadiplosis; g) Assonance
Examples of repetition in poetry
Repetition is especially prevalent in poetry , as it can help achieve a certain resonance with readers. Again, read through the following examples of poetic repetition and guess what type each uses.
Example #1: "Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”
Example #2: "Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
“Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight, Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Example #3: “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe
“It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me.”
Example #4: "Song of Myself, 3" by Walt Whitman
“There was never any more inception than there is now, Nor any more youth or age than there is now, And will never be any more perfection than there is now, Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now.”
Example #5: "A Child is Born" by Stephen Vincent Benet
“Life is not lost by dying! Life is lost Minute by minute, day by dragging day, In all the thousand, small uncaring ways.”
Example #6: "The Gnome, The Gnat, & The Gnu" by Shel Silverstein
" I saw an ol' gnome Take a gknock at a gnat Who was gnibbling the gnose of his gnu. I said, "Gnasty gnome, Gnow, stop doing that."
Example #7: "Coda" by Dorothy Parker
“There’s little in taking or giving, There’s little in water or wine; This living, this living, this living Was never a project of mine.”
Answers : a) Epizeuxis; b) Assonance; c) Consonance; d) Epiphora; e) Diacope; f) Alliteration ; g) Epizeuxis
Now that you know how to make repetition your writing’s best friend, let’s give a shout-out to your best friend when it comes to removing unnecessary repetition : CTRL+F. We are all guilty of over-relying on specific words that crop up in our writing again and again. Get acquainted with your own habitual words, and then use CTRL+F to sweep your document for them. Find, remove, repeat ! 😊
Do you incorporate repetition into your prose? Is there a specific type that you favor? Leave any thoughts or questions in the comments below!
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Definition of Repetition
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and more memorable. There are several types of repetition commonly used in both prose and poetry.
As a rhetorical device, it could be a word, a phrase, or a full sentence, or a poetical line repeated to emphasize its significance in the entire text. Repetition is not distinguished solely as a figure of speech , but more as a rhetorical device.
Types of Repetition
The following examples of repetition are classified according to the different types of repetition used, both in literature and in daily conversations.
- Anadiplosis : Repetition of the last word in a line or clause.
- Anaphora : Repetition of words at the start of clauses or verses.
- Antistasis : Repetition of words or phrases in opposite sense.
- Diacope : Repetition of words broken by some other words.
- Epanalepsis : Repetition of the same words at the beginning and the end of a sentence.
- Epimone : Repetition of a phrase (usually a question) to stress a point.
- Epiphora : Repetition of the same word at the end of each clause.
- Gradatio : A construction in poetry wherein the last word of one clause becomes the first of the next, and so on.
- Negative-Positive Restatement : Repetition of an idea first in negative terms, and then in positive terms.
- Polyptoton : Repetition of words of the same root, with different endings.
- Symploce : A combination of anaphora and epiphora , in which repetition is both at the end and at the beginning.
Short Examples of Repetition in Poetry
- If you think you can do it , you can do it .
- The boy was a good footballer , because his father was a footballer , and his grandfather was a footballer .
- The bird said, “I don’t sing because I am happy , I am happy because I sing .”
- The politician declared, “ We will fight come what may, we will fight on all fronts, we will fight for a thousand years.”
- The judge commanded, stamping his mallet on the table, “ Order in the court , order in the court .”
- The refugees were crossing into the neighboring country when they saw blood all around — blood on the passageways, blood on the fields, blood on the
- When they came out of the cinema hall they all agreed, the film was a waste of money, it was a waste of time and energy.
- The boy was terrified when he was taken to the hospital; he shuddered at the least sound, and he shuddered at the least breath of air into the room.
- The president said, “ Work, work, and work ,” are the keys to success.
- The orator said, “ Good morning to the old, good morning to the young, good morning to each and every one present.”
- The team captain reiterated his resolve to win the match, win the tournament, and win the hearts of his people.
- The general said to his army, “Men — You must fight for the life of your people , your family , and your country .”
- The boss repeated his routine advice, “ Don’t come late, don’t leave early, and don’t delay your work.”
- The students chanted to raise the spirits of their team during the match, “ We will win , we will win .”
- The new boss says that, in this organization, the wrong person was appointed for the wrong job , following the wrong procedure , but this will not happen again.
Examples of Repetition in Literature
Example #1: one art (by elizabeth bishop).
“ The art of losing isn’t hard to master ; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster… Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn’t hard to master though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.”
In this example, the poet has repeatedly used the refraining line “The art of losing isn’t hard to master” throughout the poem . This refraining line creates rhythm , and emphasizes the idea. Notice that this line, however, varies slightly in the final stanza , yet is still considered to be a refrain .
Example #2: Annabel Lee (By Edgar Allan Poe)
“It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea , That a maiden there lived whom you may know … I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea , But we loved with a love that was more than love — I and my Annabel Lee …”
The poet is using the refraining line “In a kingdom by the sea.” This appears in the second line of each stanza , and recurs in the final line of the third stanza , drawing readers’ attention, and contributing to its meter and rhythm .
Example #3: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (By Dylan Thomas)
“ Do not go gentle into that good night , Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light … And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night . Rage, rage against the dying of the light .”
This is very a famous poem using repetitions of the refrain , “Do not go gentle into that good night,” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” These refrains make the poem catchy and easy to remember.
Example #4: Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening (By Emily Dickinson)
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep , And miles to go before I sleep .”
Frost has used a repeated refrain in only the last stanza , as he utters, “And miles to go before I sleep.” It gives rhythm to the poem , and lays emphasis on this idea of doing many things before dying.
Example #5: Excelsior (By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
“The shades of night were falling fast… A banner with the strange device, Excelsior! There in the twilight cold and gray, Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay… A voice fell like a falling star, Excelsior! “
The poet makes use of refrain “Excelsior!” throughout the entire poem , creating rhythm and drawing the attention of readers.
Example #6: The Properly Scholarly Attitude (By Adelaide Crapsey)
“The poet pursues his beautiful theme ; The preacher his golden beatitude … Of the properly scholarly attitude — The highly desirable, the very advisable, The hardly acquirable, properly scholarly attitude .”
In this poem , Crapsey uses the refrain , “properly scholarly attitude ” to highlight the theme of being a poet having proper scholarly attitude .
Example #7: O Captain! My Captain! (By Walt Whitman)
“ O Captain ! my Captain ! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up — for you the flag is flung — for you the bugle trills…”
The poet uses refrain throughout this poem to emphasize the mournful theme . See the repetition of the words “captain,” “rise up,” and “for you” in just these two lines. This theme continues throughout.
Example #8: 1940 Speech to House of Commons (By Winston Churchill)
“ We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”
This is a beautiful example of repetition in prose , where the speaker has repeated “we shall,” and “we shall fight” several times.
Example #9: I Have a Dream speech (By Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“ I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification – one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
In this famous speech by American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., he repeats the phrase “I have a dream” a number of times. This makes the speech very powerful and memorable.
Function of Repetition
Refrain is purely a poetic device, and the most important function that a refrain may serve in poetry is to lay emphasis and create rhythm . When a line or phrase recurs in a poem , or a piece of literature, it becomes noticeable to the readers. By using refrain , poets can make their ideas memorable, and draw the attention of readers toward a certain idea. This is done by using a single line recurrently throughout a poetic work, allowing readers to take a pause each time they come upon such repetition.
Definition and Examples of Repetition in Writing
Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms
- An Introduction to Punctuation
- Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
- M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
- B.A., English, State University of New York
Repetition is an instance of using a word, phrase, or clause more than once in a short passage—dwelling on a point.
Needless or unintentional repetition (a tautology or pleonasm ) is a kind of clutter that may distract or bore a reader. (The baseless fear of repetition is humorously called monologophobia .)
Used deliberately, repetition can be an effective rhetorical strategy for achieving emphasis.
Types of Rhetorical Repetition With Examples
- Anadiplosis Repetition of the last word of one line or clause to begin the next. "My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain." (William Shakespeare, "Richard III")
- Anaphora Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses. " I want her to live. I want her to breathe. I want her to aerobicize." ("Weird Science," 1985)
- Antistasis Repetition of a word in a different or contrary sense. "A kleptomaniac is a person who helps himself because he can't help himself ." (Henry Morgan)
- Commoratio Emphasizing a point by repeating it several times in different words. "Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space." (Douglass Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," 1979)
- Diacope Repetition that is broken up by one or more intervening words. " A horse is a horse , of course, of course, And no one can talk to a horse of course That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed." (Theme song of 1960s TV program "Mr. Ed")
- Epanalepsis Repetition at the end of a clause or sentence of the word or phrase with which it began. " Swallow , my sister, O sister swallow , How can thine heart be full of the spring?" (Algernon Charles Swinburne, "Itylus")
- Epimone Frequent repetition of a phrase or question; dwelling on a point. "And I looked upwards, and there stood a man upon the summit of the rock; and I hid myself among the water-lilies that I might discover the actions of the man. ... "And the man sat upon the rock, and leaned his head upon his hand, and looked out upon the desolation. ... And I lay close within shelter of the lilies, and observed the actions of the man. And the man trembled in the solitude;—but the night waned, and he sat upon the rock." (Edgar Allan Poe, "Silence") "The man who stood, who stood on sidewalks, who stood facing streets, who stood with his back against store windows or against the walls of buildings, never asked for money, never begged, never put his hand out." (Gordon Lish, "Sophistication")
- Epiphora Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses. "She's safe, just like I promised . She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised . And you get to die for her, just like you promised ." (Jack Sparrow, The Pirates of the Caribbean )
- Epizeuxis Repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis, usually with no words in between. "If you think you can win , you can win ." (William Hazlitt) "Will you ever be old and dumb, like your creepy parents? Not you, not you, not you, not you, not you, not you." (Donald Hall, "To a Waterfowl")
- Gradatio A sentence construction in which the last word of one clause becomes the first of the next, through three or more clauses (an extended form of anadiplosis ). "To exist is to change , to change is to mature , to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." (Henri Bergson)
- Negative-Positive Restatement A method of achieving emphasis by stating an idea twice, first in negative terms and then in positive terms. "Color is not a human or personal reality; it is a political reality." (James Baldwin)
- Ploce Repetition of a word with a new or specified sense, or with pregnant reference to its special significance. "If it wasn't in Vogue , it wasn't in vogue ." (Promotional slogan for Vogue magazine)
- Polyptoton Repetition of words derived from the same root but with different endings. "I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider , and I decide what is best." (George W. Bush, April 2006)
- Symploce Repetition of words or phrases at both the beginning and end of successive clauses or verses: a combination of anaphora and epiphora. " They are not paid for thinking— they are not paid to fret about the world's concerns. They were not respectable people—they were not worthy people—they were not learned and wise and brilliant people—but in their breasts, all their stupid lives long, resteth a peace that passeth understanding!" (Mark Twain, "The Innocents Abroad," 1869)
Needless Repetition
When a writer repeats a word or phrase for no meaningful or literary purpose it ends up being a distraction.
- "Moore's sentence imposed the maximum 24-month sentence under federal sentencing guidelines." ("Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Paula Deen Extortion Bid." Savannah Morning News , September 17, 2013)
- My favorite painting is the painting I did of my dog in that painting in my den.
- "Johnson is currently serving as a scholar in residence at Savannah State where he is currently working on a book about his life." ("Still Sailing on the Winds of Change." Savannah Morning News , August 23, 2015)
- "If you compare fly-fishing with ice fishing , you will find that fly-fishing is more exciting than ice fishing ." (Stephen Wilbers in "Keys to Great Writing")
- "Some text editors and reporters exhibit in their copy the kind of phobia that makes us go downstairs ten times to check that the light is off. They have a nagging doubt that the reader has not quite got the point--so they keep going on about it. Once is enough for most pieces of information. When the information is merely incidental its repetition is doubly irritating. Here's an example from The New York Times : A disappointment among the data is that while infant mortality has continued to decline, and is almost at the goal, there remains a great disparity between the rate for whites and for Blacks . The death rate among Black infants is about twice that for whites, Dr. Richmond said. 'and has been that way for decades.' The italicized words in the original story tell us nothing. So it boils down to: A disappointment is that while infant mortality has continued to decline, almost to the goal, the death rate among Black infants is about twice that for whites . . ." (Harold Evans, Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers , rev. ed. Pimlico, 2000)
Observations
" [R]epetition skulks under numerous different names, one might almost say aliases, depending on who is repeating what where:
When parrots do it, it's parrotting. When advertisers do it, it's reinforcement. When children do it, it's imitation. When brain-damaged people do it, it's perseveration or echolalia. When disfluent people do it, it's stuttering or stammering. When orators do it, it's epizeuxis, ploce, anadiplosis, polyptoton or antimetabole. When novelists do it, it's cohesion. When poets do it, it's alliteration, chiming, rhyme, or parallelism. When priests do it, it's ritual. When sounds do it, it's gemination. When morphemes do it, it's reduplication. When phrases do it, it's copying. When conversations do it, it's reiteration.
In sum, the following alphabetical list of 27 terms covers repetition's commonest guises, though there are undoubtedly more to be found in specialized areas such as classical rhetoric :
Alliteration, anadiplosis, antimetabole, assonance, battology, chiming, cohesion, copying, doubling, echolalia, epizeuxis, gemination, imitation, iteration, parallelism, parrotting, perseveration, ploce, polyptoton, reduplication, reinforcement, reiteration, rhyme, ritual, shadowing, stammering, stuttering
As the numerous names suggest, repetition covers an enormous area. In one sense, the whole of linguistics can be regarded as the study of repetition, in that language depends on repeated patterns." (Jean Aitchison, "'Say, Say It Again Sam': The Treatment of Repetition in Linguistics." Repetition, ed. by Andreas Fischer. Gunter Narr Verlag, 1994)
" Repetition is a far less serious fault than obscurity. Young writers are often unduly afraid of repeating the same word, and require to be reminded that it is always better to use the right word over again, than to replace it by a wrong one--and a word which is liable to be misunderstood is a wrong one. A frank repetition of a word has even sometimes a kind of charm--as bearing the stamp of truth, the foundation of all excellence of style." (Theophilus Dwight Hall, "A Manual of English Composition." John Murray, 1880)
- Effective Rhetorical Strategies of Repetition
- Anadiplosis: Definition and Examples
- Traductio: Rhetorical Repetition
- What Does Anaphora Mean as a Figure of Speech?
- Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech
- AP English Exam: 101 Key Terms
- How to Use Repetition to Develop Effective Paragraphs
- epimone (rhetoric)
- catchphrase
- What is a Misplaced Modifier?
- Definition and Examples of a Transition in Composition
- A Reading Quiz on the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
- Parataxis (grammar and prose style)
- antanaclasis (word play)
- Free Modifiers: Definition, Usage, and Examples
- What Is Alliteration in English?
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- Scriptwriting
What is Repetition — Definition and Examples for Writers
L iterary devices aim to utilize words to communicate more efficiently and more effectively to readers and audiences. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at a literary device that aims to do just that simply by using the same word or phrase again and again. This is of course repetition. Repetition may seem straightforward, but there are various types of repetition that are defined by how and where words or phrases are repeated. So, what is repetition actually used for? Let’s take a look at those types of repetition and how iconic writers have used them throughout history.
Tools For Screenwriters
Literary devices.
Literary Elements
- Deuteragonist
- Foil Character
- Point of View
- Protagonist
Literary Techniques
- Alliteration
- Connotation
- Deus ex Machina
- Foreshadowing
- Iambic Pentameter
- Juxtaposition
- Onomatopoeia
- Personification
- Red Herring
what is repetition?
First, let’s define repetition.
Although there are various types of repetition, they all fall under the same definition. Let’s take a look at the repetition definition to better identify when it is being used.
REPETITION DEFINITION
What is repetition.
Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is used multiple times. Repetition can be found throughout literature. Most commonly, it is found in poetry and speeches to create rhythm or emphasize a word or phrase. There are various types of repetition defined by where and how words and phrases are repeated in a body of text.
Famous Repetition Examples in Cinema:
- “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?” - Taxi Driver (1976)
- “Wax on. Wax off.” - Karate Kid (1984)
- “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” - On the Waterfront (1954)
Repetition meaning
Function of repetition.
Repetition can be found throughout written literature and throughout verbal speeches. Why is it so common? Repetition is primarily effective at two things: emphasis and rhythm.
1. Emphasis
Simply repeating a phrase or word is an effective way at emphasizing specific ideas to a reader or audience. If a word or phrase appears only once, a reader may overlook it. When it is repeated, the word or phrase (and, by extension, the idea being communicated) registers more directly in the reader’s mind.
Repetition can also create rhythm in text both written and spoken language. This is especially effective at engaging audiences when used in oral speeches. Speeches can become mundane if they become simply read. Repetition can create rhythm and musicality to a speech that more deeply engages audiences.
Related Posts
- A Complete Guide to Literary Devices →
- What is Alliteration? Definition and Examples →
- How Writers Use Anaphora in Speeches & Dialogue →
Repetition examples
Types of repetition.
There are various types of repetition that are defined by structure and form. While all repetition has similar effects that we touched on above, different types of repetition can have different impacts.
1. Anaphora
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
"What is Anaphora?" • A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers
In the historical novel A Tale of Two Cities , Charles Dickens utilizes anaphora to create a memorable opening paragraph.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
2. Epistrophe
Similar to anaphora is epistrophe. Epistrophe is the repetition of a word or group of words at the end of successive clauses or sentences.
In her song “Single Ladies” Beyonce uses epistrophe in the chorus of the song.
“‘Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you should’ve put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you should’ve put a ring ”
3. Symploce
Symploce is the use of both anaphora and epistrophe. Bill Clinton famously used symploce in his speech at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
“When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it.”
4. Mesodiplosis
The repetition of a word in the middle of a phrase or clause is known as mesodiplosis. An example of mesodiplosis can be found in the bible.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
5. Epizeuxis
One of the most simple types of repetition is epizeuxis. Epizeuxis is the repetition of a single word in sequence. An example of this can be found in the famous nursery rhyme "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
REPETITION LITERARY DEVICE
Repetition vs. repetition of sounds.
Within the realm of literary devices , repetition and repetition of sounds are often grouped together. However, there are key differences between literary devices that repeat words and phrases and literary devices that repeat specific sounds. To clarify this, let’s take a look at literary devices that repeat specific sounds.
1. Consonance
The repetition of sounds made by consonants is known as consonance. A famous tongue twister example of this is “ Sh elley s ells sh ells by the s ea sh ore.”
2. Assonance
Assonance is the repetitive use of vowel sounds within a single line of text. Often referred to as “vowel rhyming,” assonance typically utilizes recurring vowel sounds in the middle of consecutive words.
These words have to be close together in a line of text so that the repetition of the vowel sound is more noticeable. For example, Edgar Allen Poe uses assonance in his poem “The Bells:”
"Hear the m e llow w e dding b e lls"
3. Alliteration
Alliteration is a literary technique when two or more words are linked that share the same first consonant sound. In the famous song “Let it Be” by The Beatles the lyrics " Whisper words of wisdom …” are an example of alliteration.
- A Complete List of Literary Devices →
- What is a Metaphor? Definition and Examples →
- Different Types of Irony Every Storyteller Should Know →
How Writers Use Alliteration
Looking to learn more about the repetition of sounds? The most fundamental and common is alliteration. In our next article, we take a look at the alliteration definition and analyze examples in both literature, advertising, and film to understand its effects.
Up Next: Alliteration Explained →
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Definition of repetition
- duplication
- reduplication
- reiteration
- replication
Example Sentences
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repetition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English repeticion , from Middle French, from Latin repetition-, repetitio , from repetere to repeat
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing repetition
- incremental repetition
Dictionary Entries Near repetition
repetitious
Cite this Entry
“Repetition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repetition. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of repetition, more from merriam-webster on repetition.
Nglish: Translation of repetition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of repetition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about repetition
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Definition of Repetition
Repetition consists of repeating a word, phrase, or sentence, and is common in both poetry and . It is a rhetorical technique to add emphasis, unity, and/or power. Due to this definition of repetition, it is a common technique for orators to use. There have been examples of repetition throughout the course of human history, as it is a good way to help remember a story, particular lines of a story, or a story in song form. Thus, repetition has been an essential part of oral storytelling and can be found in legends, folk tales, and religious texts.
Different Types of Repetition
There are unique terms for many different types of repetition, most of them from Greek origin.
- : Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several subsequent lines. Martin Luther King Junior’s speech “I Have a Dream” is a famous example, as he repeats “I have a dream” at the beginning of several lines.
- Mesodiplosis : Repetition of a word in the middle of every line of clause. For example: “we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
- : Repetition of a word at the end of every line or clause. For example: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
- Symploce : A combination of anaphora and epistrophe, symploce is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a line and the repetition of another phrase at the end of the line. For example, symploce occurs in the following statement from Bill Clinton: “When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it.”
- : From the Greek for “bending back,” this is repetition of the same word, but with different denotations or connotations, often as a type of pun. For example, “Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?” (Groucho Marx)
- Antistasis : More extreme than antanaclasis, this is the repetition of words in opposite senses. For example: “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” (Benjamin Franklin)
- Negative-Positive Restatement : Repetition of an idea in a negative way first, and then in a positive way. An example is JFK’s famous line “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
- or palilogia : Repetition of the same word or phrase without any words in between. For example, the first three words of the folk song “Row, row, row your boat.”
- Diacope : Similar to epizeuxis, this is the repetition of a word or phrase with only one or two words between the repeated words. “Diacope” comes from the Greek for “to cut in two.” The famous line from Shakespeare’s rendition of the St. Crispin’s Day speech in Henry V is an example: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
- Conduplicatio : Repetition of one word in different places throughout a line or paragraph. Elie Weisel used this technique in his The Perils of Indifference : “I am filled with a profound and abiding gratitude to the American people. Gratitude is a word that I cherish. Gratitude is what defines the humanity of the human being.”
- or gradatio : Repetition of the last word of one line as the first word of the next. For example, the proverb “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
- Epanalepsis : Repetition of the first word or words of a line also at the end of that line. For example, “Nothing can be created out of nothing.” (Lucretius)
- Diaphora : Repetition of a name to refer to the person and then to the meaning of the name. The “Boys will be boys” is an example of diaphora.
- Epimone : Repetition of a phrase question for emphasis or to dwell on a point. From the Greek for “delay.” An example of epimone is Sojourner Truth’s speech from the Women’s Convention in 1851 where she repeated the “And ain’t I a woman?” several times over.
- : Repetition of words with the same root but different forms. For example, “With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder.” (William Shakespeare, Richard II )
Poetic Forms that Use Repetition
The following poetic forms include repetition as necessary to their structure:
- : A nineteen-line poem in which two lines four times each in a specific pattern. See this example of repetition below (Example #3).
- : A complex thirty-nine line poem broken into six stanzas of six lines each and one final with three lines. Each line ends with one of six words, and these six words rotate in order. The final stanza includes all six words (with only three of them acting as the final words of the lines). Therefore, each word is repeated a minimum of seven times throughout the poem.
- Triolet : An eight-line poem wherein the first, fourth, and seventh lines are identical, as are the second and eighth. Therefore, the first two lines and final two lines are identical couplets.
- Ghazal : Originating in 6 th -century Arabic , a ghazal is made up of five or more couplets where the final word of every is the same.
Repetition Examples from Literature
But for now Anders can still make time. Time for the shadows to lengthen on the grass, time for the tethered dog to bark at the flying ball, time for the boy in right field to smack his sweat-blackened mitt and softly chant, They is, They is, They is .
(“Bullet to the Brain” by Tobias Wolff)
This excerpt of Wolff’s “Bullet to the Brain” contains the final two lines of the short story. The types of repetition represented here are anadiplosis, anaphora, and epizeuxis. The of the story has been reflecting on a grammatical error he heard as a young boy, and now in the last few moments of his life the phrase keeps repeating itself in his head. The effect in the story is to mimic the protagonist’s thought pattern as his brain starts to shut down.
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
(“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes)
Hughes uses different types of repetition here, including anaphora and conduplicatio. The effect of repetition in this poem is to make the poem sound as though it’s coming from a storyteller.
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
(“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas)
Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” is one of the most famous villanelles ever written. The repeated lines “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” continue to build intensity throughout the poem until the power of the final couplet.
How the danger sinks and swells, By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells, Of the bells, Of the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells— In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!
(“The Bells” by Edgar Allen Poe)
This famous poem by Edgar Allen Poe features many different repetition examples, including epizeuxis, conduplicatio, and polyptoton. The word “bells” is repeated 62 times throughout the poem, often without words in between (epizeuxis). This particular type of repetition helps to make the poem sound much like the tolling of bells.
Test Your Knowledge in Repetition
1. Which repetition definition fits most aptly with the term anaphora? A. A repeated word or phrase at the beginning of several lines. B. A repeated word in the middle of every line or clause. C. A repeated word at the end of every line or clause.
2. Consider the following line from “The Bells”:
How the danger sinks and swells,— By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells
What definition of repetition is this an example of?
A . Epizeuxis B. Conduplicatio C. Polyptoton
3. Look again at Dylan Thomas’s villanelle “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” Using that poem as a guide, which of the following structures is correct for the villanelle form? (Note: capital letters are used to note the repeated lines and lowercase letters to express the rhymes).
A. A b C / d e F / g h I / j k L / m n O / p q R S B. A1 b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 A2 C. A1 b C1 / d e A2 / f g C2 / h i A3 / j k C3 / l m A4 C4
- Poetic Justice
- Malapropism
Definition of Anaphora
Anaphora is a rhetorical device that features the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses . Anaphora works as a literary device to allow writers to convey, emphasize, and reinforce meaning. This word repetition at the beginning of each phrase in a group of sentences or clauses is a stylized technique that can be very effective in speeches, lyrics , poetry, and prose .
One of the most famous uses of anaphora is the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens . “ It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness … ” Through repetition of the phrase “it was,” Dickens reinforces to the reader that the time he is describing is a past filled with oppositions and extremes. In addition, the anaphora creates the effect for a current reader that, while reading, it is that way in the present as well. As a result, this allows the reader to engage immediately with the story .
Conversational Anaphora Examples
Anaphora is used in a conversational way to express emotion and as a means of emphasizing or affirming a point or idea. Here are some examples of conversational anaphora:
- “Go big or go home.”
- “Be bold. Be brief. Be gone.”
- “Get busy living or get busy dying.”
- “Give me liberty or give me death.”
- “You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t.”
- “Stay safe. Stay well. Stay happy.”
- “So many places, so little time.”
- “I wish I may; I wish I might.”
- “ Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
- “Give much, give often, give freely.”
- “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
- “Run far, run fast.”
- “Monkey see, monkey do.”
- “Open heart, open mind.”
- “Great haste makes great waste.”
Examples of Anaphora in Speech and Writing
When it comes to speech and writing, anaphora can provide a rhythm to words and phrases. This can have a strong effect on an audience by appealing to emotions, inspiration, motivation , and even memory. Such a pattern of repetition at the beginning of phrases or sentences is particularly useful in political speech and writing as a means of engaging an audience. Anaphora holds their attention and creates a lasting impression.
Here are some examples of anaphora from well-known speeches and writings:
- “We came, we saw, we conquered.” (translated from Latin, attributed to Julius Caesar in a letter to the Roman senate)
- “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ( Mark Twain )
- “Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
- “Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor–never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten.” ( Elie Wiesel )
- “Do you realize that when you ask women to take their cause to state referendum you compel them . . . to beg men who cannot read for their political freedom? Do you realize that such anomalies as a college president asking her janitor to give her a vote are overstraining the patience and driving women to desperation? Do you realize that women in increasing numbers indignantly resent the long delay in their enfranchisement?” (Carrie Chapman Catt)
Famous Anaphora Examples
Here are some well-known examples of anaphora from music lyrics that you might recognize:
- “ Turn, Turn, Turn ” lyrics by Pete Seeger
There is a season – turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep
2. “ All You Need Is Love ” lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game It’s easy
3. “ Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town ” lyrics by Haven Gillespie
You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout I’m telling you why
Difference Between Anaphora and Repetition
In a general sense, anaphora is repetition. However, anaphora is specific in its intent to repeat. Nonspecific repetition of words or phrases can take place anywhere in writing. With anaphora, the repetition is of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive sentences, phrases, or clauses. Therefore, this repetition is intentional for literary or rhetorical effect.
Writing Anaphora
Overall, as a literary device, anaphora functions as a means of emphasizing words and ideas. Also, it can also provide a lyrical and artistic effect when used properly. Readers often remember passages that feature anaphora in the way that they might remember refrains in music. This not only enhances a reader’s experience and enjoyment of language but also expands the writer’s ability to convey and reinforce meaning in their work.
Unfortunately, when used poorly, anaphora can be alienating for a reader. It can appear too distracting, forced, or emphatic. Writing anaphora is a balance between deliberate usage as a literary device and the natural flow of wording. Therefore, it’s essential for writers to carefully consider when and how to use anaphora to avoid overwhelming or disengaging the reader.
Here are instances in which it’s effective to use anaphora in writing:
Evoke Emotion
Anaphora is often utilized by writers to evoke emotion. This is powerfully demonstrated in the passage from Elie Wiesel’s speech above (see #4) in which he begins his statements with “indifference.” Though, as a term, indifference denotes an absence of emotion, Wiesel’s repetition of the word has the opposite effect on the reader/listener. Therefore, indifference as anaphora, in this case, evokes emotions of empathy and sadness. A rhetorical device that evokes emotion in a reader/listener is valuable to a writer as a means of creating meaning.
Reinforce or Emphasize a Concept
Anaphora is also an excellent rhetorical device for writers to reinforce or emphasize a concept. By repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or phrases, the concept represented by that word or phrase is highlighted and brought to the foreground for the reader. Mark Twain utilizes this reinforcement and emphasis in his famous quote relating the size of a dog in a fight to the size of the fight in a dog (see #2 above). By emphasizing the impact of size through anaphora, Mark Twain is able to reinforce the concept that external, physical size is less influential to an outcome than intrinsic passion and motivation.
Create Urgency or Call to Action
By repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, a writer can create a sense of urgency or call to action for the reader. For example, in Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech above (see #3), he invokes the phrase “go back” as a means of calling his readers/listeners to action. In addition, the repetition of this phrase makes for effective anaphora in that it creates a sense of urgency for the reader/listener to both consider and comply with the directive. Therefore, for political or motivational writing, anaphora is a powerful rhetorical device.
Difference Between Anaphora and Epistrophe / Epiphora
Whereas an anaphora is a repetition of words at the beginning of clauses or sentences or verses , epistrophe is the repetition of words at the end of the clauses, verses, or sentences. Epiphora is merely a new title for epistrophe. Otherwise, both are the same. And what is common about all of these terms is that they are used mostly for rhetorical purposes or rhetorician of something.
Use of Anaphora in Sentences
- Whether you are with us or against us, you are with them or against them, you are with none or against none, it doesn’t matter.
- People run to get goods, people run to get votes, people run to work for votes, but none run to correct others.
- If you are here and not with us, if you are here and not side us, if you are here and not help us and if you are here and not here, it does not matter to us.
- Will you help me, will you assist me or will you go with me is a simple question that I have asked you many times.
- One moment for that person, one moment for this person, one moment for your father and brothers, and none for me. This is your life!
Examples of Anaphora in Literature
Anaphora is an effective literary device. Here are some examples of anaphora in well-known works of literature, along with how they add to interpretation and literary expression:
Example 1: If you want the moon (Rumi)
If you want the moon, do not hide from the night . If you want a rose, do not run from the thorns. If you want love, do not hide from yourself.
Rumi’s poetic words utilize anaphora with the phrase “if you want,” presenting a choice directly to the reader. This phrase repetition appears as if the choice is conditional, in the sense that the reader must decide whether they want what the poet is suggesting. However, as a literary device, the anaphora here induces a call to action as each repetition is followed by an instruction. Therefore, this has a powerful effect for the reader in creating a sense of urgency in making a choice.
Example 2: The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
You is kind. You is smart . You is important.
In Stockett’s novel , these words are spoken to a white child by her black caretaker. Stockett’s use of anaphora in this dialogue reinforces the relationship between these characters . However, it simultaneously reveals the dichotomy between their circumstances. The child in the novel is loved unconditionally by her caretaker, who reminds her that she is kind, smart, and important.
By repeating “you,” the caretaker is reinforcing these qualities specifically for the child. In addition, this is ironic considering the racial divide between the characters. As a black woman, the caretaker is not treated by the child’s family as if she is kind, smart, or important. Therefore, the caretaker is instilling qualities in a white child who, unfortunately, may grow up to be prejudiced against the very woman she knew to possess these traits. In turn, this literary device creates an emotional response for the reader in reaction to the black woman’s words to the white child.
Example 3: We Real Cool (Gwendolyn Brooks)
We Real Cool . We Left school. We Lurk late. We Strike straight. We Sing sin. We Thin gin. We Jazz June. We Die soon.
In this poem , Brooks makes clever and dramatic use of anaphora with the repetition of “we.” However, the placement of this pronoun at the end of each line creates a visual as well as a lyrical effect for the reader. The subject , “we,” seems an afterthought, though it is grammatically the first word of each sentence in the poem. By making the subject secondary to the action, the reader’s focus is drawn towards the rhythm and pattern of the words describing what the subject is doing. This creates a dramatic effect for the last line, “die soon.” The anaphora, “we,” is absent in the last line. Therefore, the poem concludes with the figurative death of the subject and the literal death of the literary device.
Example 4: I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King
It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the colored America is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the colored American is still sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the colored American lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the colored American is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
This passage shows the use of “One hundred years later…” used at the beginning of every sentence. Therefore, this is a good use of anaphor that shows its impacts on the audience of Martin Luther King. Some other significant anaphoras used in the speech are “ Now we cannot…”, “Go back…” and “I have a dream .”
Example 5: The Great Dictator by Charlie Chapline
Then – in the name of democracy – let us use that power – let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world – a decent world that will give men a chance to work – that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will!
This passage occurs in the speech, “The Great Dictator.” It shows the use of “Let us…” as an anaphora. The speech also shows some other examples such as “Today away…” and “What to…” The interesting thing about all of them is that they have great rhetorical impacts in the speech to persuade the audience.
Synonyms of Anaphora
The nearest synonyms for anaphora are adumbration, allegory , alliteration , analog, analogy , anticlimax, and even antistrophe but almost all of them have a distinction of their own that separates them from anaphora.
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Parallelism
Parallelism Definition
What is parallelism? Here’s a quick and simple definition:
Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure. These "parallel" elements can be used to intensify the rhythm of language, or to draw a comparison, emphasize, or elaborate on an idea. The following well-known adage is an example of parallelism: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." The grammatical structures of the first and second sentences parallel each other.
Some additional key details about parallelism:
- Parallelism can be as simple as choosing grammatically similar elements when writing a list, as in "First do X, second do Y, third do Z."
- In some cases, parallelism involves the exact repetition of words, but all that is required to fit the definition of parallelism is the repetition of grammatical elements.
- Parallelism is a prominent feature of Hebrew and Middle Eastern poetry, and it appears frequently in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
How to Pronounce Parallelism
Here's how to pronounce parallelism: par -uh-lel-iz-em
Parallelism in Grammar vs. in Rhetoric and Literature
The term "parallelism" is used to describe both a figure of speech and a principle in grammar, although its use in each context is slightly different.
Parallelism in Grammar
In grammar, parallelism is the principle that using similar grammatical elements in certain contexts—when making a list, for example—leads to sentences that flow in a more natural way. In the following sets of sentences, the first version is parallel while the second is not. Note how the examples without parallelism are awkward and a little confusing.
In this first set of sentences, the first sentence contains a list of three parallel nouns , while the second combines two nouns with a verb .
- Parallelism: Their son loved playing chess , video games , and soccer .
- No parallelism: Their son loved chess , video games , and to play soccer .
In the second set of sentences, the first contains parallel adjectives , while the second combines two adjectives with a verb .
- Parallelism ( adjectives ): The Bach Sonata was beautiful , moving , and inspiring .
- No parallelism: The Bach Sonata was beautiful , moving , and it inspired .
Parallelism in Rhetoric and Literature
In contrast to the strictly grammatical view of parallelism, in rhetoric and literature parallelism can do much more than just create a pleasing and grammatical sentence structure. Writers use parallel grammatical elements within one sentence or, more broadly, between and among different sentences in a paragraph, for effect : to emphasize ideas or themes , suggest connections, or highlight contrasts, all while adding rhythm to the structure of their expression.
Parallelism and Related Figures of Speech
While parallelism is itself a figure of speech, it can also be seen as a kind of "umbrella" category of a number of different figures of speech. Put another way: there are a number of figures of speech that make use of parallelism in specific ways. It's useful to know what these other terms mean, since technically speaking they are specific types of parallelism.
Parallelism and Antithesis
One literary device that often makes use of parallelism is antithesis . In antitheses, two elements of a sentence are placed in contrast to one another. This opposition is clearest when a writer puts the ideas in parallel positions. Neil Armstrong used antithesis with parallelism when he first stepped onto the surface of the moon in 1969, using the parallel structure of the two halves of his sentence to highlight the contrast between his "small step" and the "giant leap" that this step represented in the history of humanity.
That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
Parallelism and Anaphora
Another specific type of parallelism is anaphora . This figure of speech involves the repetition of at least one word at the beginning of successive clauses or phrases. In one of Winston Churchill's most famous speeches during World War II, he makes stirring use of anaphora :
.... We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...
Note that there are also other uses of parallelism in this excerpt of Churchill's speech that do not fall into the category of anaphora. The different locations that Churchill names ("on the beaches...on the landing grounds...in the fields and in the streets...in the hills") create parallelism through their grammatical similarity.
Parallelism and Asyndeton
In asyndeton , a conjunction (such as "and") is omitted between parts of a sentence to create a certain rhythm. Often, this is made possible by parallelism, which helps the reader to interpret the sentence's meaning even when it is not (technically) grammatically correct. In Julius Caesar's famous boast to the Senate after his victory at the Battle of Zela, he makes use of asyndeton because he omits the word "and" before the final clause.
Veni, vidi, vici : I came, I saw, I conquered.
Technically this omission of "and" makes the sentence an example of "comma splicing," which is a grammatical no-no, but the parallelism allows the meaning to come through and creates a pleasing rhythm.
Parallelism and Epistrophe
Epistrophe is the opposite of anaphora . Instead of repeated word(s) at the beginning of successive phrases, epistrophe involves repeating words at the end of successive phrases. Abraham Lincoln employed epistrophe when he declared in his Gettysburg Address that the Union was fighting to defend a government "of the people , by the people , for the people ." Again, this is an example of parallelism as well as epistrophe, since epistrophe is just a specific type of parallelism.
Parallelism Examples
Parallelism examples in literature.
Parallelism occurs frequently in poetry and prose, from ancient Hebrew poetry to contemporary fiction.
Parallelism in Psalms of the Old Testament
Parallelism is found throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible. In this pair of verses from Psalm 24, there are two examples of what biblical scholars call synonymous parallelism , meaning that the idea of the first clause is repeated and rephrased with a parallel grammatical structure in the second clause to emphasize or amplify the point.
The earth is the LORD's and everything in it , the world, and all who live in it ; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters .
Parallelism in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar , Mark Antony is given the opportunity to speak at the funeral of his recently assassinated friend, Caesar. He uses this chance to incite a riot in the hopes of winning back control of the Senate from the conspirators who assassinated Caesar in the first place.
Friends, Romans, countrymen , lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar , not to praise him . The evil that men do lives after them ; The good is oft interred with their bones ...
The first use of parallelism in Antony's speech comes in the list of nouns with which he calls the crowd to attention, naming their reasons to be loyal listeners as friends and patriotic citizens. Antony then uses parallelism again (with antithesis ) to state his intended purpose by contrasting the verbs "to bury" and "to praise." The third instance of parallelism is also an example of antithesis.
Parallelism in Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms
In this passage from A Farewell to Arms , Hemingway uses repetition and parallelism to create a rhythm that gives his simple style a precise and powerful effect. This repetition continues the matter-of-fact tone in which the narrator is describing the events of the war. This particular parallelism could also be called an example of epistrophe because its repetition occurs at the end of successive clauses.
Up the river the mountains had not been taken ; none of the mountains beyond the river had been taken . That was all left for next year.
Parallelism in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride"
In this famous poem, Longfellow chronicles the ride of Paul Revere on his way to warn colonists of the attacking British soldiers. The first two instances of parallelism are simple repetitions of grammatical elements— first the repetition of a verb phrase, and then a series of adjectives . The third instance is also an example of antithesis (as well as anaphora , with the repetition of "now"). This third parallelism also sets the scene with the striking imagery of the horse's hooves.
He has left the village and mounted the steep And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep , Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides; And under the alders, that skirt its edge, Now soft on the sand , now loud on the ledge , Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides.
Parallelism in Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake
In this short excerpt from Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake , there are several examples of parallelism used to create rhythm within a sentence while elaborating on an idea. Here you can see how even without using the more elaborate versions of parallelism (anaphora, antithesis, asyndeton, etc.), the simple choice to use elements that are grammatically parallel within a sentence helps these sentences to flow effectively.
Without a single grandparent or parent or uncle or aunt at her side, the baby's birth, like most everything else in America, feels somehow haphazard , only half true . As she strokes and suckles and studies her son, she can't help but pity him. She has never known of a person entering the world so alone , so deprived .
Parallelism Examples in Rhetoric
Parallelism can add pleasing rhythm to speech that makes it seem more eloquent, can help to highlight or emphasize ideas, and through its use of repetition can make a speech more persuasive. No wonder politicians and other speech-makers use it all the time.
Parallelism in President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
In his first speech to the American public as President, JFK explicitly sent a message to the nations of the world that the United States would undergo any difficulty to defend liberty around the world. In just this one sentence, he uses parallelism in a few places, two of which could also be classified as antitheses .
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill , that we shall pay any price , bear any burden , meet any hardship , support any friend , oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
Parallelism in President George W. Bush's Address to the Nation on Terrorism (September 20th, 2001).
In this speech, delivered just over a week after the attacks of September 11th, President Bush declared a "war on terror." There are three instances of parallelism in just these two sentences, with the first also being an example of anaphora , since it involves a repetition of words at the beginning of a phrase. The second and third uses of parallelism are lists whose parallel structures create rhythm and establishes a link between the many different responses to the terrorist attack.
We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags , the lighting of candles , the giving of blood , the saying of prayers —in English , Hebrew , and Arabic .
Parallelism Examples in Song
Parallelism is a common feature of many song traditions. Songwriters use parallelism to create rhythm and link ideas together.
Parallelism in "The House of the Rising Sun"
In this traditional folk song from the American South, made famous by The Animals, parallelism paints a picture of the singer's background, while contrasting his mother's honest profession (tailor) with his father's dishonest one (gamblin' man):
My mother was a tailor She sewed my new blue jeans My father was a gamblin' man Down in New Orleans.
Parallelism in "Days Like This" by Van Morrison
In this song , Van Morrison uses several forms of parallelism, including both anaphora and epistrophe —which, when used together, create symploce . This example makes the rhythmic potential of parallelism clear, and shows its usefulness in song-writing.
When it's not always raining there'll be days like this When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch Well mama told me there'll be days like this .
Why Do Writers Use Parallelism?
Parallelism is an important tool at any writer's disposal, and can be used for a variety of purposes:
- To emphasize the relationship between two or more sentences in a paragraph, or two or more ideas within a single sentence.
- To compare or contrast two different things or ideas.
- To create a stronger sense of rhythm in a text.
- To drive home a point through repetition.
- To elaborate on an idea.
Notice how even the bulleted list above is an example of parallelism. It's easy to read in part because the grammatical structure of each line is identical, beginning with an infinitive ("to" + verb). Parallelism is everywhere because it's one of the rules of grammar that makes ideas (both simple and complex) easier to understand.
Other Helpful Parallelism Resources
- Sound bites from history: This website collects audio samples from speeches in American history, so that you can hear parallelism in action.
- University Webpage: This professor's page includes some helpful breakdowns of sentence structure and grammatically correct examples of parallelism.
- The Wikipedia Entry on Parallelism: A useful rundown of parallelism with relevant examples from throughout world history.
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Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is repeated two or more times. Repetition occurs in so many different forms that it is usually not thought of as a single figure of speech.
Definition of Repetition Repetition is a literary device that involves intentionally using a word or phrase for effect, two or more times in a speech or written work. For repetition to be noticeable, the words or phrases should be repeated within close proximity of each other.
As a literary term, repetition (reh-pih-TIH-shun) refers to deliberately repeating sounds, words, and phrases within a piece of literature for the purpose of creating an intended effect. The point may be to rouse the reader, slow a reader down create rhythm, or make a passage easier to remember. Literary Devices that Use Repetition
Repetition literary devices have existed since the dawn of literature, and they were especially prominent in both Ancient Greece and Rome. These devices exist partially because of their emphatic value, and partially because literature was often retold orally, so repetition helped storytellers remember "what comes next" as they recited their ...
In literary terms, repetition refers to a recurring element in a piece of writing. At the line level this might be a sound, word, or phrase; at the broader story level this might be an image, setting, or idea. We see repetition used all the time in both poetry and classic literature, as well as famous speeches and persuasive arguments in politics.
Repetition is a literary device that involves using the same word or phrase over and over again in a piece of writing or speech. Writers of all kinds use repetition, but it is particularly popular in oration and spoken word, where a listener's attention might be more limited. In such circumstances, it can add emphasis and catchiness.
Repetition consists of repeating a word, phrase, or sentence, and is common in both poetry and prose. It is a rhetorical technique to add emphasis, unity, and/or power. Due to this definition of repetition, it is a common technique for orators to use.
I. What is Repetition? Quite simply, repetition is the repeating of a word or phrase. It is a common rhetorical device used to add emphasis and stress in writing and speech. Repetition is widely used in both poetry and prose; throughout all genres and forms of literature and oral tradition.
Repetition is an important poetic technique that sees writers reuse words, phrases, images, or structures multiple times within a poem. E.g. An example of repetition is: "The old man walked down the street, down the street, down the street". Related terms: Anaphora, epistrophe, alliteration, consonance, assonance, motif
Repetition is a literary tool that repeats the same words or terms a few instances to make an concept clearer and extra memorable. There are several forms of repetition normally used in each prose and poetry.
When naught would be accepted but the ring, You would abate the strength of your displeasure. — The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare. 9. Epizeuxis. The successive repetition of a word or phrase within one clause or sentence. Example: "The horror, the horror.". — Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. 10.
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and more memorable. There are several types of repetition commonly used in both prose and poetry.
Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms. Repetition is an instance of using a word, phrase, or clause more than once in a short passage—dwelling on a point. Needless or unintentional repetition (a tautology or pleonasm) is a kind of clutter that may distract or bore a reader. (The baseless fear of repetition is humorously called ...
what is repetition? First, let's define repetition Although there are various types of repetition, they all fall under the same definition. Let's take a look at the repetition definition to better identify when it is being used.
: a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted 2 : mention, recital repetitional ˌre-pə-ˈtish-nəl -ˈti-shə-nᵊl adjective Synonyms duplication iteration redo reduplication reiteration renewal repeat replay replication reprise See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus Example Sentences
Repetition is a commonly used literary element within poetry. The definition of repetition in poetry is repeating words, phrases, lines , or stanzas . Repetition can be used to help establish ...
Definition of Repetition As a literary device, repetition is the process of repeating certain words or phrases in order to make an idea more memorable and clear. Repetition is used in speeches, literature, and poetry, and can be applied to a word, a line, a phrase, or even a full sentence.
Literary devices. Repetition. Repetition Definition of Repetition. Repetition consists of repeating a word, phrase, or sentence, and is common in both poetry and . It is a rhetorical technique to add emphasis, unity, and/or power. Due to this definition of repetition, it is a common technique for orators to use.
Definition of Anaphora. Anaphora is a rhetorical device that features the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.Anaphora works as a literary device to allow writers to convey, emphasize, and reinforce meaning. This word repetition at the beginning of each phrase in a group of sentences or clauses is a stylized technique that can be very ...
Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure. These "parallel" elements can be used to intensify the rhythm of language, or to draw a comparison, emphasize, or elaborate on an idea. The following well-known adage is an example of parallelism: "Give a ...
alliteration, in prosody, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables. Sometimes the repetition of initial vowel sounds (head rhyme) is also referred to as alliteration. As a poetic device, it is often discussed with assonance and consonance. In languages (such as Chinese) that emphasize tonality, the use of alliteration is rare or absent. Alliteration is ...