
How do you use repetition in a sentence?
- Life is too short to spend it with repetition of old dreams that never happened.
- The repetition of the process brought the same results.
- Constant repetition makes it easier to learn how to spell a word.
- The small town with its repetition of nice homes made it a good place to live.
What is the term for repeating a word or phrase?
Types
- Antimetabole is the repetition of words in successive clauses, but in transposed order; for example, "I know what I like, and I like what I know"
- tautology Superfluous repetition of the same sense in different words Example: The children gathered in a round circle
- Antanaclasis is the repetition of a word or phrase to effect a different meaning.
What are the forms of repetition?
Types of Repetition 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.
What would be an example of repetition?
10 Types of Repetition in Literature
- Anadiplosis—Repetition in Successive Clauses. Anadiplosis is when a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses. ...
- Anaphora—Repetition at the Beginning of Lines or Clauses. For the most part, anaphora is an example of repetition in poetry. ...
- Antanaclasis—Successive Repetition of a Word, In Which Each Use Has a Different Meaning. ...

What is repetition in writing?
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. Repeating the same words or phrases in a literary work ...
What is the difference between repetition and repetition?
Differences Between Repetition of Sounds. In addition to using repeating words and phrases as a literary device, writers may use repetition of sounds as well. Overall, the repetition of sound can provide rhythm, pacing, and musicality to a work of poetry or prose.
What is the repetition of a consonant sound in a group of words?
Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound in a group of words, such as there is little butter in the bottle. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, such as this lake takes the cake. Alliteration is the repetition of sound in the initial letter of a group of words, such as selling sails is somewhat silly.
What does McCullers repeat in this passage?
In this passage, McCullers repeats the words “heart” and “child.”. This repetition is an effective literary device in that it reinforces for the reader that the heart is both impressionable and vulnerable in children, just as a child is impressionable and vulnerable as well.
What does repetition of tomorrow mean?
The rhythm established by the repetition of tomorrow also serves to highlight a sense of futility and mundanity in a word that typically connotes expectation of change or something new. Instead, the repetition of the word renders it meaningless and without promise of hope.
How many times does Macbeth repeat the word "morrow"?
In this Shakespearean soliloquy, Macbeth is lamenting the death of his wife and repeats the word “tomorrow” three times. Macbeth’s repetition of this word calls attention to the fact that his wife no longer has any tomorrow, and that the tomorrows Macbeth has remaining will be a repetition of life without her.
Why is repetition important in poetry?
Repetition of sounds, words, or phrases allows for a sense of rhythm in a literary work. This is particularly effective when it comes to poetry and speeches. Rhythm affects the pacing and musicality of wording and phrasing. Therefore, repetition creates a sense of rhythm that can change the experience a reader and/or listener has ...
What is repetition in literature?
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. Instead, it's more useful to think of repetition as being a category that covers a number of more specific figures of speech, ...
What is repetition in speech?
Some additional key details about repetition: Figures of speech that employ repetition usually repeat single words or short phrases, but some can involve the repetition of sounds while others might involve the repetition of entire sentences.
Why Do Writers Use Repetition?
Given the large number of figures of speech that use repetition, it stands to reason that writers use repetition for all sorts of different reasons. That said, it's possible to describe some general reasons that writers might choose to use repetition:
What is the repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession?
Epizeuxis: The repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession, with no words in between. When the character Kurtz in Heart of Darkness says, "The horror, the horror," that's an example of epizeuxis .
What is the repetition of a phrase, but with the order of words reversed?
Antimetabole: The repetition of a phrase, but with the order of words reversed. John F. Kennedy's words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," is a famous example of antimetabole. Assonance: The repetition of the same vowel sound within a group of words.
What is the most common repetition figure of speech?
The most common repetition figures of speech are: Alliteration: The repetition of the same sound in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought the box of bricks to the basement.”. The repeating sound must occur either in the first letter of each word, or in the stressed syllables of those words.
What is the repetition of "the people" at the end of each clause?
His repetition of "the people" at the end of each clause is an example of epistrophe.
What is repetition in poetry?
Repetition (rhetorical device) Repetition is the simple repeating of a word, within a short space of words (including in a poem ), with no particular placement of the words to secure emphasis. It is a multilinguistic written or spoken device, frequently used in English and several other languages, such as Hindi and Chinese, ...
What is the repetition of a single word in a paragraph?
This is derived from Greek for "fastening together". "Words, words, words.". ( Hamlet) Conduplicatio is the repetition of a word in various places throughout a paragraph.
What is tautology repetition?
tautology Superfluous repetition of the same sense in different words Example: The children gathered in a round circle. Antanaclasis is the repetition of a word or phrase to effect a different meaning. "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.". ( Benjamin Franklin)
What is the repetition of the initial word or words of a clause or sentence at the end?
Epanalepsis is the repetition of the initial word or words of a clause or sentence at the end. " The king is dead, long live the king! ". Diacope is repetition of a word or phrase with one or two words between each repeated phrase. The life that I have. Is all that I have. And the life that I have. Is yours.
What is the repetition of a word or phrase at the middle of every clause?
Mesodiplosis is the repetition of a word or phrase at the middle of every clause.
Where does the phrase "anaphora" come from?
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of every clause. It comes from the Greek phrase "carrying up or back". "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!".
What is repeated word?
Repetition is when a word, phrase or statement is repeated several times to emphasise and develop a certain idea.
What is the repetition of the final word of a phrase, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next?
Anadiplosis: The repetition of the final word of a phrase, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next. For example, “ the poor have been wronged, and the wronged will seek vengeance. “
How does repetition work?
When a word, phrase or statement is repeated several times, we often find it hammered into our brains.
How do I analyse repetition?
Repetition is very easy to identify, but may be more difficult to analyse. Here are some methodical steps that will help you analyse and discuss it.
What does Shakespeare's repetition of Jews and Christians mean?
Shakespeare’s repetition of ‘ Jews ‘ and ‘ Christians ‘ highlights the two religions. The word ‘ same ‘ emphasises the commonality between the religions and the anaphora of ‘if you ‘ challenges the existing prejudice against the Jews. 2.
Why does Shakespeare use repetition in Shylock's monologue?
From this, we can see that Shakespeare has used repetition in Shylock’s monologue to confront his audience with the existing prejudice in society and its consequences – the persecuted seeks revenge. So, the repetition here is emphasises the cycle of hatred and anger that results from the existing societal prejudice.
What is the repetition of a sound at the beginning of more than two stressed syllables?
Alliteration: This is the repetition of a sound at the beginning of more than two stressed syllables. For example, “ she sold seashells… “
What is repetition in literature?
Definition and Explanation of Repetition. Repetition is not defined as one single “thing” in a work of literature. Depending on the writer, what they’re writing about, and the format the way in which repetition is used, it can differ greatly. One writer might use the technique in order to reuse a word, sporadically throughout the text.
Why is repetition used in poetry?
Repetition is used in poetry in order to convey a poet’s intentions. It’s used to emphasize an element of the poem and make sure the reader walks away feeling like the reader wanted them to.
How Does Repetition Help Poets Communicate?
Repetition helps poets communicate specific messages, tones, moods, rhetorical devices, and more. By using repetition alongside imagery and word choice, a writer can ensure readers understand exactly what they intended. The many forms of repetition are useful devices for those who want to emphasize a specific feeling or experience their speaker, or characters, in a poem are having.
What is an epistrophe in poetry?
For example, epistrophe is concerned with the repetition of words at the end of multiple lines. Or, its opposite, anaphora, which refers to words repeated at the start of multiple lines of poetry. Alliteration is another example. It refers to repeated consonant sounds.
How does repetition help Dickens?
Here, the use of repetition makes each line Dickens creates all the more impactful. They build up upon one another (a technique known as accumulation) and help the reader imagine the place and time that Dickens is going to explore in the novel.
What is the term for a writer who repeats words with the same root but different endings?
Polyptoton : A slightly harder type of repetition to spot, this occurs when a writer repeats words that have the same root but different endings.
Why is repetition important in writing?
Writers use repetition in order to emphasize something they find important. This could be a theme, a character’s characteristics, or the terrible, or wonderful, state of the world.

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. Repeating the same words or phrases in a literary work of poetry or prosecan bring clarity to an ...
Common Examples of Repetition
- Many common phrases in conversation and writing contain repetition. Here are some familiar examples of repetition: 1. Time after time 2. Heart to heart 3. Boys will be boys 4. Hand in hand 5. Get ready; get set; go 6. Hour to hour 7. Sorry, not sorry 8. Over and over 9. Home sweet home 10. Smile, smile, smile at your mind as often as possible. 11. Alone, aloneat last 12. Now you see m…
Examples of Repetition in Movie Lines
- Many of the most famousquotes from movies contain repetition as a device. Here are some examples of repetition in movie lines: 1. “Hey! I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” (Midnight Cowboy) 2. “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here.” (Taxi Driver) 3. “You don’t understand! I …
Famous Examples of Repetition
- Think you haven’t heard of any famous examples of repetition? Here are some instances of repetition in famous speeches, writings, and quotations: 1. Ashes To Ashes, dust to dust (English Book of Common Prayer) 2. The sad truth is that the truth is sad. (Lemony Snicket) 3. The horror! The horror! (Heart of Darkness) 4. And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting (The …
Differences Between Repetition of Sounds
- In addition to using repeating words and phrases as a literary device, writers may use repetition of sounds as well. Overall, the repetition of sound can provide rhythm, pacing, and musicality to a work of poetry or prose. These types of repeated sounds are consonance, assonance, and alliteration. Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound in a group of words, such as ther…
Writing Repetition
- Repetition, as a literary device, functions as a means of reinforcing a concept, thought, or idea for a reader by repeating certain words or phrases. Writers that utilize repetition call attention to what is being repeated. This can generate greater focus on a particular subjectand intensify its meaning. It’s essential that writers bear in mind that their audiencemay experience fatigue if rep…
Examples of Repetition in Literature
- Repetition is a commonly used literary device. Here are some examples of repetition and how it adds to the value of well-known literary works:
Repetition Definition
Repetition Examples
- Here are additional examples from literature for each of the most common figures of speech that use repetition.
Why Do Writers Use Repetition?
- Given the large number of figures of speech that use repetition, it stands to reason that writers use repetition for all sorts of different reasons. That said, it's possible to describe some general reasons that writers might choose to use repetition: 1. Emphasis:The repetition of a word or phrase naturally serves to highlight it's importance within a text and as a thing or idea. 2. Persua…
Other Helpful Repetition Resources