types of repetition

repetition

an instance where a word or phrase is repeated to provide clarity and emphasis, highlighting deeper meanings in the text

anadiplosis

when a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses to emphasize a concept, build a logical progression of ideas, create a pleasing rhythm, or enhance persuasion

“The mountains look on Marathon – And Marathon looks on the sea…“

anaphora

when a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of lines or clauses to emphasize a key message and create a rhythmic effect

"So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania…"

antanaclasis

when a word or phrase is repeated, but in two different meanings to create a play on words that has a humorous effect

"We must all hang [stand/cooperate] together, or assuredly we shall all hang [be executed] separately."

antimetabole

a specific type of chiasmus when the same exact words or phrases are repeated in reverse order in successive clauses to convey paradoxes, irony, and juxtaposition, to strengthen ideas, and to enhance clarity

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

"Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

chiasmus

when ideas are repeated in an inverse structure so the second half of the sentence mirrors the first, but not necessarily with the same words to deepen an idea through contrast or emphasis

Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves…"

epanalepsis

when a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning and end of a single clause or sentence to emphasize a key message and create a rhythmic effect, often found in chiasmus and antimetabole

“Beloved is mine; she is Beloved.”

“Nothing can be created out of nothing.”

epiphora

when a word or phrase is repeated at the end of lines or clauses to emphasize a key message and create a rhythmic effect

"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people."

epimone

when the speaker repeats themselves (usually found in dialogue) to emphasize a point with strong emotion or urgency, a sustained form of epizeuxis, but with the purpose of dwelling

“O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day…most woeful day That ever, ever, I did yet behold!…O woeful day, O woeful day.”

epizeuxis

when words are repeated in quick succession to emphasize a point with strong emotion or urgency

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…"

“The horror! The horror!“

polyptoton

when a word is repeated in different grammatical forms to create emphasis and highlight a relationship between the words

“No end to the withering of withered flowers, / To the movement of pain that is painless and motionless,“

symploce

when a word or phrase is repeated at both the beginning and the end of a phrase or clause to show strong contrasts between similar statements by changing only a few words

"The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, / The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes"

motif

when an idea or image is repeated throughout a work of literature to reinforce the theme and meaning of the work

In Jane Eyre, birds represent freedom often appearing when Jane’s quest for freedom is particularly intense.