Repetition

Repetition 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.