Types of Repetition in Poetry and Prose Flashcards
Anadiplosis
Anadiplosis is when a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses.
Ex. The mountains look on Marathon – And Marathon looks on the sea…
Anaphora
Anaphora involves the repeated use of a word or phrase at the beginning of each line in a poem, or each sentence in prose.
Ex. Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream” Speach.
Antanaclasis
Antanaclasis is the succesive repetition of a word, in which each use has a different meaning.
Ex. And the charm broke, so now I’ll be broke. I have nothing now, I’m broken.
Antimetabole
Antimetabole is when phrases or sentences are repeated in reverse order.
Ex. I need you, and you need me.
Antistrophe
Antistrophe—also known as epistrophe or epiphora—is the successive repetition of a word or phrase at the end of lines or clauses.
Like anaphora.
Chiasmus
Chiasmus, like antimetabole, is the repetition of a phrase in reverse order.
Unlike antimetabole, Chiasmus does need to reverse gramatical syntax.
Ex. He loves me, so why can’t I love him?
Epanalepsis
Epanalepsis refers to repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a line, clause, or sentence.
Ex. Nothing can be created out of nothing.
Epimone
Epimone, a device most often used in dialogue, occurs when the speaker repeats themselves for the purpose of dwelling on a point.
Ex. Oh I hate my life. Yup, my life is terrible. Mhm, I hate it.
Epizeuxis
Epizeuxis, also known as diacope, is the repetition of words in quick succession.
Ex. Run! Run! Run! Run!
Polyptoton
Polyptoton is the use of two or more words that, though different, share the same root.
Ex. Bleed, Blood, Bloodied, Bloody.
Symploce
Symploce occurs when a writer uses both anaphora and antistrophe at the same time.
