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How to Avoid Repetition and Redundancy in Academic Writing

Published on March 15, 2019 by Kristin Wieben . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Repetition and redundancy can cause problems at the level of either the entire paper or individual sentences. However, repetition is not always a problem as, when used properly, it can help your reader follow along. This article shows how to streamline your writing.

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Table of contents

Avoiding repetition at the paper level, avoiding repetition at the sentence level, when is repetition not a problem, other interesting articles.

On the most basic level, avoid copy-and-pasting entire sentences or paragraphs into multiple sections of the paper. Readers generally don’t enjoy repetition of this type.

Don’t restate points you’ve already made

It’s important to strike an appropriate balance between restating main ideas to help readers follow along and avoiding unnecessary repetition that might distract or bore readers.

For example, if you’ve already covered your methods in a dedicated methodology chapter , you likely won’t need to summarize them a second time in the results chapter .

If you’re concerned about readers needing additional reminders, you can add short asides pointing readers to the relevant section of the paper (e.g. “For more details, see Chapter 4”).

Don’t use the same heading more than once

It’s important for each section to have its own heading so that readers skimming the text can easily identify what information it contains. If you have two conclusion sections, try making the heading more descriptive – for instance, “Conclusion of X.”

Are all sections relevant to the main goal of the paper?

Try to avoid providing redundant information. Every section, example and argument should serve the main goal of your paper and should relate to your thesis statement or research question .

If the link between a particular piece of information and your broader purpose is unclear, then you should more explicitly draw the connection or otherwise remove that information from your paper.

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Keep an eye out for lengthy introductory clauses that restate the main point of the previous sentence. This sort of sentence structure can bury the new point you’re trying to make. Try to keep introductory clauses relatively short so that readers are still focused by the time they encounter the main point of the sentence.

In addition to paying attention to these introductory clauses, you might want to read your paper aloud to catch excessive repetition. Below we listed some tips for avoiding the most common forms of repetition.

• Use a variety of different transition words
• Vary the structure and length of your sentences
• Don’t use the same pronoun to reference more than one antecedent (e.g. “ They asked whether they were ready for them”)
• Avoid repetition of particular sounds or words (e.g. “ Several shelves sheltered similar sets of shells ”)
• Avoid redundancies (e.g “ In the year 2019 ” instead of “ in 2019 ”)
• Don’t state the obvious (e.g. “The conclusion chapter contains the paper’s conclusions”)

It’s important to stress that repetition isn’t always problematic. Repetition can help your readers follow along. However, before adding repetitive elements to your paper, be sure to ask yourself if they are truly necessary.

Restating key points

Repeating key points from time to time can help readers follow along, especially in papers that address highly complex subjects. Here are some good examples of when repetition is not a problem:

Restating the research question in the conclusion This will remind readers of exactly what your paper set out to accomplish and help to demonstrate that you’ve indeed achieved your goal.

Referring to your key variables or themes Rather than use varied language to refer to these key elements of the paper, it’s best to use a standard set of terminology throughout the paper, as this can help your readers follow along.

Underlining main points

When used sparingly, repetitive sentence and paragraph structures can add rhetorical flourish and help to underline your main points. Here are a few famous examples:

“ Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” – John F. Kennedy, inaugural address

“…and that government of the people , by the people , for the people shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

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Definition of Repetition

Common examples of repetition, examples of repetition in movie lines, famous examples of 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. These types of repeated sounds are consonance , assonance , and alliteration .

Writing Repetition

It’s essential that writers bear in mind that their audience may experience fatigue if repetition is overused. As a literary device, repetition should be used deliberately and not just for the sake of repeating a word or phrase. However, when used properly, repetition can be an influential device in writing.

Sense of Rhythm

Create emphasis, purpose of repetition in literature, use of repetition in sentences, examples of repetition in literature, example 1: macbeth (william shakespeare).

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow , Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death.

 Example 2: A Dog Has Died (Pablo Neruda; translated by Alfred Yankauer)

My dog has died. I buried him in the garden next to a rusted old machine. Some day I’ll join him right there, but now he’s gone with his shaggy coat, his bad manners and his cold nose, and I, the materialist, who never believed in any promised heaven in the sky for any human being, I believe in a heaven I’ll never enter. Yes, I believe in a heaven for all dogdom where my dog waits for my arrival waving his fan-like tail in friendship.

Neruda achieves this through the poet stating that he does not believe in a heaven for humans, but he does believe in a heaven for dogs. The fact that the poet will “never enter” this heaven for “dogdom” indicates his realization that the dog’s death means a permanent separation of their friendship. Through this repetition of heaven as a concept for dogs but not humans, the reader gains an even greater sense of the grief the poet must be experiencing. The image of the dog waiting for his human’s arrival in heaven is therefore even more heartbreaking.

Example 3: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (Carson McCullers)

But the hearts of small children are delicate organs. A cruel beginning in this world can twist them into curious shapes. The heart of a hurt child can shrink so that forever afterward it is hard and pitted as the seed of a peach. Or again, the heart of such a child may fester and swell until it is a misery to carry within the body, easily chafed and hurt by the most ordinary things.

Synonyms of Repetition

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Repetition Definition

What is repetition? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

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, all of which use repetition in different ways.

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.
• Repeating information has been scientifically shown to increase the likelihood of changing people's minds. The persuasive power of repetition is one of the reasons it is so common.

Repetition Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce repetition: rep-ih- tish -un

Figures of Speech that Use Repetition

There are many different figures of speech that use repetition, all in different ways. These figures of speech can vary in the things they repeat (sounds, words, phrases, etc.) as well as in the specific order in which the repeated words appear in clauses or sentences. 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.
• Anadiplosis : Occurs when a word or group of words located at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at or near the beginning of the following clause or sentence. This line from the novelist Henry James is an example of anadiplosis: "Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task."
• Anaphora : The repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences. For example, Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech contains anaphora: "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 : A repetition of a word or phrase in which the that word or phrase means something different each time it appears. A famous example of antanaclasis is Benjamin Franklin's statement that: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
• 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. An example of assonance is the repetition of the "oo" sound in: "Who gave Newt and Scooter the blue tuna? It was too soon!"
• Consonance : The repetition of the same consonant sound within a group of words. An example of consonance is the repetition of the "f" sound in: "Traffic figures to be tough on July Fourth."
• Diacope : The repetition of a word or phrase with a small number of intervening words. The repetition of "unhappy" in the first line of Anna Karenina is an example of diacope, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," is an example of diacope.
• Epanalepsis : Occurs when the beginning of a clause or sentence is repeated at the end of that same clause or sentence, with words intervening. The sentence "The king is dead, long live the king!" is an example of epanalepsis.
• Epistrophe : In epistrophe, one or more words repeat at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. In his Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln urged the American people to ensure that, "government of the people, by the people, for the people,shall not perish from the earth." His repetition of "the people" at the end of each clause is an example of epistrophe.
• 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.
• Polysyndeton : Occurs when coordinating conjunctions—words such as "and," "or," and "but" that join other words or clauses in a sentence into relationships of equal importance—are used several times in close succession, particularly where conjunctions would normally not be present at all. For instance, the following sentence contains polysyndeton: "We ate roast beef and squash and biscuits and potatoes and corn and cheese and cherry pie."
• Polyptoton : Occurs when words that share the same root, but are not identical, are repeated. The question, "Who shall watch the watchmen?" is an example of polyptoton.
• Refrain : In a poem or song, a refrain is a line or group of lines that regularly repeat, usually at the end of a stanza in a poem or at the end of a verse in a song. In a speech or other prose writing, a refrain can refer to any phrase that repeats a number of times within the text.

Repetition Examples

Here are additional examples from literature for each of the most common figures of speech that use repetition.

Repetition Example from Literature: Alliteration

This example from lines 5-6 of the Prologue of Romeo and Juliet has two sets of alliteration, one with “f” sounds and one with “l” sounds.

F rom f orth the f atal l oins of these two f oes A pair of star-cross'd l overs take their l ife;

Repetition Example from Literature: Anadiplosis

In Lolita , the morally bankrupt Humbert Humbert defends his relationship to the young Lolita to an imagined jury. Here, he reveals that what he presented as another person's letter was actually written by him, ostensibly from memory.

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.)

A tactic of his deceit involves convincing the jury of the improbable—that is, that he remembers a letter verbatim—and his use of anadiplosis as a persuasion tool reflects both his charming and incredibly slimy personality.

Repetition Example from Literature: Anaphora

In this short excerpt from The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald uses anaphora in a description of the apartment that Tom Buchanan keeps as a secret location for his extramarital affair. The anaphora emphasizes the smallness of this gaudy apartment, which also reflects the pettiness of the affair.

The apartment was on the top floor— a small living-room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom, and a bath.

Repetition Example from Literature: Antanaclasis

Shakespeare often used antanaclasis in his plays. For instance, in Act V of Henry V a character named Pistol promises to sneak off to England and there engage in crime:

To England will I steal, and there I'll steal.

Repetition Example from Literature: Antimetabole

The dashing trio's rallying cry in The Three Musketeers is a famous example of antimetabole. The saying has remained in circulation until today—in part because antimetabole makes it so memorable.

All for one and one for all !

Repetition Example from Literature: Assonance

In these lines from Book XII of Lattimore's translation of Homer's Iliad the assonance helps reinforce the lulling effect of the winds' sleep:

"When Zeus ... st i lls the w i nds asleep i n the sol i d dr i ft ..."

Repetition Example from Literature: Consonance

In this line from chapter 9 of Moby-Dick , the " s " and " h " sounds mirror the activity of the scene—singing—by making the prose musical.

Nearly all joined in s inging thi s h ymn, which s welled h igh about the h owling of the s torm ...

Repetition Example from Literature: Diacope

In Othello , just before he kills Desdemona in Act V, Othello utters this line that contains the repetition of diacope:

Put out the light , and then put out the light .

It's worth noting that Othello's line here is also an example of antanaclasis, as he is using "put out the light" to mean two different things.

Repetition Example from Literature: Epanalepsis

In this excerpt from a speech by Ralph Nader, the repetition of "minimum wage" underscores its role as a major concern in both his speech and his political priorities.

A minimum wage that is not a livable wage can never be a minimum wage .

Repetition Example from Literature: Epistrophe

In this example from Chapter 28 of the The Grapes of Wrath , Steinbeck's use of epistrophe in Tom Joad's farewell dialog with his mother emphasizes Joad's desire both to provide her with some reassurance and continue to be there for her:

Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there . Wherever they's a cop beaten' up a guy, I'll be there ...I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad an'—I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready. An' when our folk eat the stuff they raise n'live in the houses they build—why, I'll be there .

Joad's repetition of his presence wherever poor people need help also emphasizes his dedication to the cause he believes in, and turns him into an almost mythological or godly presence who is always there to protect and support the downtrodden.

Repetition Example from Literature: Epizeuxis

One of the most famous examples of epizeuxis occurs in Hamlet , as Hamlet is speaking to (and mocking) Polonious in Act 2. When Polonius asks Hamlet what he's reading, Hamlet responds:

Words, words, words.

Here Hamlet both mocks what he sees as the stupidity of Polonious's question, but at the same time the repetition communicates a kind of awful weariness, in which Hamlet can't bring himself to care about the meaning of the words.

Repetition Example from Literature: Polysyndeton

Bob Dylan won the nobel prize for literature for the genius of his lyrics. His song "Masters of War" shows how polysyndeton can be used to build a specific emotion:

" And I hope that you die And your death'll come soon I will follow your casket In the pale afternoon And I'll watch while you're lowered Down to your deathbed And I'll stand over your grave 'Til I'm sure that you're dead"

Anger and disgust are palpable in the final lines of this song of protest against the politicians behind the Vietnam War. By using polysyndeton, Dylan continues to add phrase after phrase, far beyond where listeners might expect him to stop, to fully communicate the depth of his fury and his hatred for the politicians he calls the "masters of war."

Repetition Example from Literature: Polyptoton

In Shakespeare's play Troilus and Cressida , the character Troilus uses polyptoton three times in two lines. In all three cases, the repetition emphasizes the might of the Greeks:

The Greeks are strong and skillful to their strength , Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant;

Repetition Example from Literature: Refrain

These are the first two stanzas of a song from Shakespeare's play, Twelfth Night . This poem actually contains a "double refrain," because it has two lines that repeat as refrains in each stanza.

When that I was and a little tiny boy, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, A foolish thing was but a toy, For the rain it raineth every day. But when I came to man’s estate, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, ’Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate, For the rain it raineth every day.

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:

• Emphasis: The repetition of a word or phrase naturally serves to highlight it's importance within a text and as a thing or idea.
• Persuasion: Scientific studies have shown that simply repeating something is one of the most effective ways to convince people of its truth. Figures of speech that use repetition are common in speeches for just this reason.
• Contrast: Sometimes by repeating the same thing in slightly different contexts it is possible to illuminate contrasts. For instance, in the sentence, "What you own ends up owning you," the repetition of "own" highlights the contrast or twist in the sentence, which argues that the things you buy to improve your life can end up limiting and influencing your life choices.
• Rhythm: Repetition creates a natural rhythm, like beats of a drum, within a sentence. Repetition, then, is not just valuable for how it can allow a writer to control the meaning of sentences. It also can help a writer to affect the feel of those sentences.

Other Helpful Repetition Resources

• Wikipedia entry on repetition : A pretty basic discussion of repetition as a device.
• Youtube video on repetition : This video covers the basics of repetition.

• Alliteration
• Anadiplosis
• Antanaclasis
• Antimetabole
• Epanalepsis
• Figure of Speech
• Polysyndeton
• Falling Action
• Climax (Plot)
• Common Meter
• Dynamic Character

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

How to Use Repetition to Develop Effective Paragraphs

Cohesion Strategies for Writing

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• 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

An important quality of an effective paragraph is unity . A unified paragraph sticks to one topic from start to finish, with every sentence contributing to the central purpose and main idea of that paragraph.

But a strong paragraph is more than just a collection of loose sentences. Those sentences need to be clearly connected so that readers can follow along, recognizing how one detail leads to the next. A paragraph with clearly connected sentences is said to be cohesive .

Repetition of Key Words

Repeating keywords in a paragraph is an important technique for achieving cohesion. Of course, careless or excessive repetition is boring—and a source of clutter . But used skillfully and selectively, as in the paragraph below, this technique can hold sentences together and focus the reader's attention on a central idea.

We Americans are a charitable and humane people: we have institutions devoted to every good cause from rescuing homeless cats to preventing World War III. But what have we done to promote the art of thinking ? Certainly we make no room for thought in our daily lives. Suppose a man were to say to his friends, "I'm not going to PTA tonight (or choir practice or the baseball game) because I need some time to myself, some time to think "? Such a man would be shunned by his neighbors; his family would be ashamed of him. What if a teenager were to say, "I'm not going to the dance tonight because I need some time to think "? His parents would immediately start looking in the Yellow Pages for a psychiatrist. We are all too much like Julius Caesar: we fear and distrust people who think too much. We believe that almost anything is more important than thinking . (Carolyn Kane, from "Thinking: A Neglected Art." Newsweek , December 14, 1981)

Notice that the author uses various forms of the same word— think, thinking, thought —to link the different examples and reinforce the main idea of the paragraph. (For the benefit of budding rhetoricians , this device is called polyptoton .)

Repetition of Key Words and Sentence Structures

A similar way to achieve cohesion in our writing is to repeat a particular sentence structure along with a keyword or phrase. Although we usually try to vary the length and shape of our sentences , now and then we may choose to repeat a construction to emphasize connections between related ideas.

Here's a short example of structural repetition from the play Getting Married by George Bernard Shaw:

There are couples who dislike one another furiously for several hours at a time; there are couples who dislike one another permanently; and there are couples who never dislike one another; but these last are people who are incapable of disliking anybody.

Notice how Shaw's reliance on semicolons (rather than periods) reinforces the sense of unity and cohesion in this passage.

Extended Repetition

On rare occasions, emphatic repetitions may extend beyond just two or three main clauses . Not long ago, the Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk provided an example of extended repetition (specifically, the device called anaphora ) in his Nobel Prize Lecture, "My Father's Suitcase" :

The question we writers are asked most often, the favorite question, is: Why do you write? I write because I have an innate need to write. I write because I can’t do normal work as other people do. I write because I want to read books like the ones I write. I write because I am angry at everyone. I write because I love sitting in a room all day writing. I write because I can partake of real life only by changing it. I write because I want others, the whole world, to know what sort of life we lived, and continue to live, in Istanbul, in Turkey. I write because I love the smell of paper, pen, and ink. I write because I believe in literature, in the art of the novel, more than I believe in anything else. I write because it is a habit, a passion. I write because I am afraid of being forgotten. I write because I like the glory and interest that writing brings. I write to be alone. Perhaps I write because I hope to understand why I am so very, very angry at everyone. I write because I like to be read. I write because once I have begun a novel, an essay, a page I want to finish it. I write because everyone expects me to write. I write because I have a childish belief in the immortality of libraries, and in the way my books sit on the shelf. I write because it is exciting to turn all life’s beauties and riches into words. I write not to tell a story but to compose a story. I write because I wish to escape from the foreboding that there is a place I must go but — as in a dream — can’t quite get to. I write because I have never managed to be happy. I write to be happy. (The Nobel Lecture, 7 December 2006. Translated from the Turkish, by Maureen Freely. The Nobel Foundation 2006)

Two well-known examples of extended repetition appear in our Essay Sampler: Judy Brady's essay "Why I Want a Wife" (included in part three of the Essay Sampler) and the most famous portion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech .

Final Reminder: Needless repetition that only clutters our writing should be avoided. But the careful repetition of keywords and phrases can be an effective strategy for fashioning cohesive paragraphs.

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Josh Bernoff

Repetition in writing: why it happens, what it means, and how to fix it

Every editor has had this experience: deep into a manuscript, you find yourself reading a familiar passage. Sure enough, it duplicates content that was earlier in the manuscript. Don’t just delete it. Ask yourself why it’s there, and use that knowledge to make the manuscript better.

Why writers repeat themselves

All writers repeat information in nonfiction. Yup. Everyone repeats information. They repeat themselves. Pretty annoying, don’t you think?

Let’s say an author is writing a book on marketing. That author may have a heartfelt belief that it’s essential to measure the impact of emails — that’s sort of an idée fixe for the author.

The author may then, unconsciously, write about how to measure the impact of emails in multiple places. You read about it in the section on emails, then in the section on measurement, then in the section on how to attribute value to various marketing strategies.

Sometimes the author recollects having mentioned it before, and writes, “As I mentioned earlier” — and then repeats the same content.

This stuff drives readers crazy. The editor needs to flag and fix it.

But why does the writer do it?

The reason is frequently one or more of the following:

• The author has an idea they frequently like to reference.
• The author is writing in stream of consciousness, rather than following an organized plan.
• It’s not clear where the idea belongs, so it ends up in multiple places.
• The problematic organization of the manuscript makes it unclear where the idea best belongs, so pieces of it appear in different places.

There are three approaches to correcting repetition:

• Delete all but one instance.
• Reorganize the manuscript to eliminate the repetition.

Ignoring repetition is always the wrong approach

You could just leave the repeated passage in, or put a little “Once again,” in front of it.

This is a big mistake.

Readers annoyed at reading repeated content will stop reading. As a writer, you not only lose the ability to retain their attention, you replace it with resentment.

You may also be missing warning signs about deeper problems in the manuscript.

So don’t ignore the problem.

Delete and combine is the simplest approach

If the problem is just one repeated idea or passage, the solution is to determine where best to include it.

Look at the repeated passages. Bring them all together in a separate document. Identify the best sentences and phrases and facts, and assemble them into a single passage. Put that passage where it seems to fit best (often, the place where you introduce the idea).

In the other places, include a cross reference: “The justification is the Peter Principle, as I described in Chapter 2.”

Eliminating repetition in this way makes manuscripts shorter. That’s a good thing; fewer words means more impact .

If repetition recurs, consider reorganizing the manuscript

Sometimes, with a given manuscript organization, it’s hard to determine one place to put an idea. You might describe the idea in Chapter 2, explain how it applies to a given problem in Chapter 3, and show how it is an example of a larger idea in Chapter 7.

That’s fine. Just look at all those examples and make sure you’re not repeating exactly the same content. Build on earlier content create new insights in later content.

But if you find repetition all over the manuscript, it may be that your organization is wrong.

In the example of the marketing book I cited earlier, maybe there should be a chapter on email that describes all the ways to craft it, deploy it, and measure its impact. Perhaps the manuscript should be organized around channels (email, Web ads, social media, and so on) rather than being organized around stages (conceive, deploy, measure, adjust).

These are hard problems to solve. You’re basically looking at a two-dimensional table and deciding whether to organize your writing by rows or by columns. It’s even more challenging if there are more than two dimensions.

To decide if reorganizing is worth it, actually create that table and fill it in with ideas. You’ll soon see whether you can even go forward with rearranging the content.

The idea of reorganizing the content may seem intimidating. But in my experience, dreading it is far worse than actually doing it. You’d be amazed how quickly you can move around existing content and glue it together in a new way.

If repetition is telling you that your manuscript’s organization is flawed, put in the time to figure out why. Don’t ignore the warning signs. Because if you can fix them with a new organization, your book will not only be shorter, it will be easier to understand and remember.

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how is this repetition In the complicated field of family services, maintaining safety while maintaining confidentiality presents a challenge that demands professionals strike a careful balance between upholding privacy and shielding individuals or families from harm.

Excellent article. Great advice. Repetition in my yet unpublished memoir is something my conscience has pricked me about for years!

My problem is that I have written something in a way I liked and later written something else on the same or a similar topic in a way I liked even better than the first iteration!!

A screen can only show so much. I have been too stingy to print it all out but in the back of my mind I feel this and a real ink pen is the only satisfactory way of cutting the right bit(s) while retaining the significance of the point(s) I was making.

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• Literary Terms

When & How to Use Repetition

• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Repetition

How to use Repetition

Repetition is a simple and fairly easy device to use in writing. In fact, all you have to do is:

• Choose words that you think are important and worth stressing
• Repeat those words in a way that is memorable. Doing so helps makes them stick out in your audience’s mind and establishes them as meaningful.
• Not overuse it, or it will loose its effect—just use repetition at points when it will have the most impact.

The important thing is that you use repetition in a smart way that adds emphasis to particular ideas. That emphasis can make the tone more convincing, more emotional, more dramatic, etc. Furthermore, repetition can create rhythm that makes a work’s style appealing, which is then more attractive to the audience.

It’s also important to note how not to use repetition—in other words, lazily reusing the same words over and over. For instance, take the following sentence:

She raced to the front door. She opened it, but no one was there. She raced back up the stairs to finish putting on her makeup. When she was done, she raced to the front door again and left.

This is an example of poor use of repetition—the word “raced” is repeated, but it doesn’t strengthen the sentences, rather, it sounds like the author didn’t have better word choices.

When to use Repetition

Authors use repetition a lot, in both literature and speech—it’s a great technique that any writer can use. As a standard, you should repeat a word when you want certain parts of your writing to stand out or be very clear. Repetition is common in fiction and nonfiction writing, creative writing, persuasive writing, formal or informal writing—as mentioned, it is found across all genres , styles, and forms of literature. It is also an excellent device to use when delivering a speech, whose success relies on the audience’s feelings about the speaker’s words.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• 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

Tuesday’s Tip: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

This edition of Tuesday’s Tips is brought to us by Dr. Ryan Shirey , the Director of the WFU Writing Center .

One concern that students often have is that they are repeating themselves, either in word or idea, over the course of an essay. While repetition is not an inherently bad thing (and can quite often be used to great effect as in the classical rhetorical technique of anaphora or this old classic by The Fall ), most of us want to make sure that we’re not boring our readers by saying the same things over and over again without any variation or development.

If you are concerned that you might be getting a little too repetitive in your writing, you might try the following steps to identify and revise potentially repetitive portions of your text.

1) If you’re worried about repeating ideas, then one of the easiest and most illuminating things that you can do is to reverse outline your draft. When you reverse outline, you take your draft and distill each idea and piece of evidence back into an outline. Some writers like to do this in the margins and others prefer a separate sheet of paper. Whatever your preference, a reverse outline will let you see rather clearly whether or not you’ve returned to the same idea or piece of evidence multiple times in the same essay. If you find that you have, you can think about rearranging or cutting paragraphs as necessary.

2) Another strategy if you’re worried about repeating ideas is to use different colored highlighters, colored pencils, or coloring tools in a word processing program to mark areas of your text where you’re working on specific ideas . If I’m writing a paper on the history of the run up to World War I, for example, I might decide to mark all the areas where I discuss treaty arrangements in green , all the areas where I discuss colonial expansion in blue , the parts that discuss arms manufacturing and trade in red , the areas that take on nationalism in yellow , and so on. Once I’ve visualized these ideas with color, I can see more easily whether or not I keep returning to the same topics or whether I need to restructure any portions of my essay. Be careful, though–you don’t want to create artificial distinctions that might negatively impact your overall point. For instance, if a conflict over colonial expansion leads to a treaty arrangement, I would need to be very careful about using the context in which I’m discussing that treaty dictate how I code that sentence or paragraph.

3) If you are worried about repeating ideas because you have run out of things to write about, perhaps your best bet is to look for ways to open your text back up for discussion with questions. You might ask someone you trust to be critical to read your work with a skeptical eye and ask you any questions that arise. You can even play that role yourself and think of any possible counterarguments that a reader might make, even if you don’t find those arguments particularly persuasive yourself. Entertaining a different perspective and reframing your point might allow you to fill out your essay without repeating the same or similar points ad nauseam . One great way to get this kind of perspective is to (shameless plug) visit the WFU Writing Center !

4) If you’re worried about repeating words or phrases, you can use the “find” feature in your word processing program to highlight all of the instances where you’ve used it. Once you’ve identified the problem areas, you can look for ways to combine sentences using coordination or subordination, replace nouns with pronouns, or (very carefully) use a thesaurus to diversify your vocabulary. The first step here is developing enough of an ear to “hear” the repetition and then to make that repetition visible so that it can be addressed. One way that I’ve found particularly effective is to read my work aloud or even to record myself reading and to listen as if I were an audience member. Nothing will help you recognize word and phrase repetition like having to say the words on the page out loud–one of the many reasons why we take this very step in the Writing Center .

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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: Contents

Repetition Definition

• Repetition in Poetry

11 Types of Repetition in Literature

• Anadiplosis
• Antanaclasis
• Antimetabole
• Antistrophe
• Epanalepsis

What is the Effect of Repetition?

How not to use repetition in your writing.

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

Now, repetition in literature 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.

What is Repetition in Poetry?

It’s easy to find examples of repetition in poetry and in prose, but it’s much easier to execute repetition in poetry. Why do poets use repetition? Poetry has greater freedom in syntax and structure, so poets have more tools at their disposal to repeat themselves stylishly and effectively.

Indeed, because of poetry’s brevity and concision, repetition is almost necessary to write a good poem . You’ll find in many great poems that a certain idea or image is repeated, with some modification, throughout the work.

Certain poetry forms also require repetition, typically in the form of a refrain. A refrain is a phrase or line that gets repeated in an intentional, specific way, with little modification. The villanelle , for example, has two refrains woven throughout the poem. Other forms, like the duplex or the sestina , don’t have refrains, but they do require words or lines to be repeated in a highly structured format.

Repetition in poetry: A refrain is a phrase or line that gets repeated in an intentional, specific way, with little modification.

Why is repetition in poetry so important? A great poem will look at a single idea from many different angles. Through that idea’s juxtaposition with different thoughts and images, the idea becomes multifaceted, in a way that a poem’s repetition and concision make possible. Additionally, the poem is often a site of obsession, and repetition in poetry enables the poet to explore that obsession in an intentional, artful way.

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.

Repetition is as old as literature, though these devices 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 repetition 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.

We’ve provided some repetition examples in literature alongside each device below. Here are 11 types of repetition in poetry and prose.

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 of repetition, 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 of repetition, 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 device is much easier to demonstrate than to define. See the below repetition 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—Successive Repetition at the Ends of Lines or Clauses

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, 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 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 love 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.

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
• Reveal or enhance the author’s writing style
• Play with multiple meanings and ambiguities
• Situate an important setting in the text, both figuratively and literally
• Suggest a character’s interiority

Repetition in literature 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.

Repetition is a powerful literary device that can highlight important ideas, flesh out those ideas, and make your writing more musical and interesting. When mishandled, it can also lessen the quality of your work.

How is that so? Repetition that isn’t done intentionally and artistically can end up being annoying or redundant. Typically, this happens when the writer is saying the exact same thing over and over. It can also happen when the writer doesn’t trust the reader, so they restate the same idea, trying to hammer in something that the reader already understands.

Much of this comes down to being confident in your work and being objective about your goals with your writing.

Here’s a quote from The Great Gatsby that uses repetition artfully:

He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.

The words “understood,” “understand,” and “understandingly” are repeated just the right number of times. They’re scattered throughout the text in an intentional way, and each time the word is used, it’s used with a slightly different meaning. Each repetition adds to the meaning the paragraph tries to convey, and it does so inside of the voice of Nick Carraway, the narrator. Here, repetition is intentional, thoughtful, and mindful of character.

Here’s an example of repetition gone wrong. I’ve amended the above passage to have needless repetition:

He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare understanding smiles with a quality of eternal understanding reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible understanding prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it understood , that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.

The additional uses of the word “understand” don’t contribute anything unique or essential. Moreover, they dampen the effects of the other words, and you start to get annoyed with the word every time it’s used. Don’t over repeat, and again, trust your audience.

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 use of 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.

Amazing using this information in my next writing. Thank you

There seems to be a name for everything. Is there a definition for the rhyme in the final line below?

Who did this terrible thing? Who put a thumb in the pie? A voice in the corner Came from one Jack Horner T’was I. T’was I. T’was I

[…] and movement between lines, employ caesura to create pauses and emphasis, and experiment with repetition, parallelism, and other rhetorical devices to enhance the structure and impact of your […]

Such a useful and interesting reference – used in my A Level English Literature class. Thanks for posting.

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What is Repetition in Writing? Examples, Definitions, and How to Create Them

Repe t ition, or epistrophe, is w hen you use the same words or phrases more than once in your writing.  It can be used to emphasize certain points or ideas , but it can also get really annoying , really quickly . So use it sparing ly , or you risk making your reader want to hit the ‘ skip ‘ button . A famous example is the ‘ ros es are red , v io lets are blue ‘ of the classic Valentine ‘s Day poem .

The Purpose of Repetition in Writing

Repetition serves various functions in writing. It can be the salt in the soup, the cherry on top, or the annoying fly buzzing around the reader’s head. Let’s explore some of the key reasons why writers choose to use repetition:

Emphasis on a Point

Sometimes, a point is so important that it deserves a bit of extra attention. Repetition can help drive home the point and make sure it sticks in the reader’s mind like gum on a shoe.

Establishing Rhythm and Flow

Setting a mood or tone.

Repeating words or phrases can also help to set a particular mood or tone. Like a foghorn in the distance, repetition can evoke feelings of suspense, anticipation, or even unease.

Unifying Ideas

Repetition can serve as a thread that ties together different ideas or themes in a piece of writing. It can be the glue that holds the entire piece together, providing a sense of cohesion and unity.

Types of Repetition

Repetition comes in many flavors, each with its unique taste. Here are a few types of repetition that writers often use:

To survive, they needed food. To survive, they needed water. To survive, they needed shelter.

Epiphora, also known as epistrophe, is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive clauses or sentences. It’s like a drum roll leading to a big finale. For example:

He wanted to go on an adventure, but fear held him back. He wanted to chase his dreams, but fear held him back. He wanted to live life to the fullest, but fear held him back.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. It can make a sentence feel as smooth as a river stone or as jagged as a mountain peak. For example:

Silly Sally swiftly shooed seven sneaky snakes.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in words. Like a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly night, it can create a comforting sense of harmony. For example:

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

Examples of Repetition in Literature

Example 1: “the raven” by edgar allan poe.

In this classic poem, Poe uses the word “nevermore” as a refrain. The repetition of this word helps to create a haunting, melancholic atmosphere.

“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.'”

Example 2: “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…”

Example 3: “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas

Thomas employs repetition in this poem to create a sense of urgency and defiance:

“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.”

How to Create Repetition in Writing

Now that we’ve seen repetition in action, let’s explore some tips for adding a sprinkle of repetition to your own writing:

1. Identify the Purpose

Before using repetition, consider the purpose it will serve. Is it for emphasis, rhythm, mood, or unity? Knowing the purpose will help guide you in choosing the right type of repetition.

2. Keep It Simple

3. use it sparingly.

Like hot sauce on a taco, a little repetition goes a long way. Too much repetition can become tiresome or annoying to the reader. Use it judiciously to keep the reader engaged and interested.

4. Vary Your Repetition

5. revise and edit.

In conclusion, repetition can be a powerful tool in a writer’s toolbox when used with care and intention. By understanding its purpose, types, and how to use it effectively, you can create memorable, engaging pieces that resonate with readers. Now, go forth and repeat—just not too much!

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Repetition In Writing: 1 Crucial Device For Dramatic Results

Repetition in writing is often frowned on as redundant, but used with intention, you can use this literary device to take your writing to new levels. There are famous lines and speeches you’ve likely heard but may not have realized the importance that repetition played. 

In this article I break down what exactly repetition in writing is, various types, and the key difference between repetition and redundancy (a big writing no-no). 

If you love following the writing rules but also care about making a point, this article is for you. Let’s dive in with a definition.

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Table of Contents

What is repetition in writing.

Repetition is a literary device used to drive a point home and keep or capture attention by repeating words or phrases. Repetition helps readers fully grasp what you write and is a type of teaching style. 

Consider the writing coach who tells you to “show, don’t tell,” over and over. After a period of time, the phrase begins to sink in. The same is true for repetition in writing. Repeating your point, a specific characteristic, or describing a theme repeatedly helps readers grasp the message you are writing.   

Different Types

There are various forms of repetition in writing, but some of the classic types are laid out below. Remember, every type has its purpose and it’s up to you, the writer, to decide what type is best for your writing project. 

#1 – Anadiplosis

Anadiplosis is repeating the last set of words of a sentence at the start of a new sentence. It is very similar to the communication tactic of mirroring, where the listener repeats the last few words just spoken to them. 

#2 – Epistrophe

Epistrophe is a type or repetition in writing that repeats a word at the end of a section of writing. Done with purpose, epistrophe adds syncopation that would otherwise be missing. 

#3 –  Epizeuxis

Epizeuxis, otherwise known as palilogia, is the repetition of just one word or phrase, without others coming in between. Use this literary device with particular intentionality, lest readers confuse it with redundancy.  

How It’s Used Intentionally

Redundant is one of the last words a writer wants attributed to their writing—fluff is likely a close second. While redundant writing is often due to a lack of forethought, you can use repetition in writing for a myriad of specific purposes. Let’s consider the types above and how their use could influence your readers. 

Make It Memorable 

The creators of Gladiator used anadiplosis for back cover copy on their DVD edition of the film. “The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an empire.” This intentionality adds flow to the sentences and makes them memorable . 

Underscore Your Point

You can use epistrophe to underscore your point. For instance, look at these two examples, one with repetition in writing and one without. 

Example 1: I get up early to write. I go to bed late to write. I push past my comfort zone to write.

Example 2: I get up early, go to bed late, and push past my comfort zone to write.

Notice how the repetition in writing focuses the mind on the purpose of the sentences. Every activity is done for one purpose—to write. 

Hammer Your Point

Use epizeuxis in children’s books, exuberant dialogue, or nonfiction to hammer your word home.

“Mommy, mommy, mommy!” 

“It’s a hot, hot, hot day.”

“You should encourage, encourage others when the going gets tough.”

When To Avoid It

When used intentionally, repetition in writing is a powerful literary device. But what about the times you should avoid using it?

If you are a new writer struggling to embrace all the writing rules, you may want to hold off on putting repetition in your writing. New writers can tend toward redundancy, overly explaining what takes place.

Take for example the following lines: She walked through the open door, sat down at the desk, and looked up at the sky through the window. 

Most editors would make the following adjustments: She walked through the door, sat at the desk, and looked at the sky. 

It is redundant to say the door was open, she sat down , and she looked up at the sky. However, a more seasoned writer can use repetition in writing to create a powerful scene. 

Instead, focus on showing your story. In later drafts, you can add specific literary devices with repetition. 

Less Is More

Another time to avoid repetition in writing is when one descriptor packs more power than several. Sometimes one word carries more power. This applies for both fiction and nonfiction. 

For instance, describing a character as happy, smiling, upbeat, and excitable is often unnecessary. Instead of repeating synonym after synonym (see the repetition there?), try choosing the one word or phrase that best describes your character.  

Incongruent With Character

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, both often include some type of dialogue . If the person speaking uses few words and is known for their concise mannerisms, refuse the urge to use repetition in writing. 

On the other hand, if a character is verbose and always has something to say, you may want to make them repeat themselves. 

Examples For Inspiration

There are countless examples of repetition in writing, but a few particularly stand out. Consider Winston Churchill’s famous speech and how he used epizeuxis: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense.”

Next, John Steinbeck’s example of epistrophe from The Grapes of Wrat h: “Wherever you can look – wherever there’s a fight, so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there.”

Even Yoda uses anadiplosis. Notice it in his lines from The Phantom Menace from Star Wars . “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” 

Of course, there are many forms of repetition in writing. You’ve probably heard, or studied, The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He uses anaphora in his opening: “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…”

Finding Your Cadence 

Like everything, using repetition with moderation is a key component to your writing success. Poetry can often get by with more repeating phrases because of its genre. However, if you use too much repetition you’ll likely bore your readers.

Instead, seek to find the best places to sneak in repetition and then return to your usual narrative style. 

A parting tip of advice: When incorporating repetition in your writing, make sure you do so in a way that maintains your unique writing voice and writing tone . 

Literary devices should be used to highlight the uniqueness of your writing, not make it blend in with other writers. 

You have a special tone that is unique to your story. Use repetition in your writing to spotlight your writing voice and help readers focus on themes!

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30+ Repetition Examples: 13 Types + How to Use It Effectively

• Updated: 03/04/24
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Repetition is a powerful literary tool and a fundamental element of good writing in a multitude of contexts.

It can be harnessed to emphasize a point, evoke an emotion, create rhythm, and even to underline themes in a piece of work.

This article will delve into the repetition definition, various types of repetition, and some common examples to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what it is and how it can be effectively employed in your writing.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a novice looking to finesse your technique, this guide is designed to equip you with valuable insights to elevate your written work!

What is Repetition in Writing?

Repetition is the repeating of words, phrases, or ideas within a piece of writing.

It can be used in various forms such as repetition of single words, phrases, entire sentences, or even structures.

It is a literary technique that has been utilized by writers for centuries to emphasize and reinforce key points, evoke emotions, and create a memorable impact on readers.

Moreover, repetition is not limited to literature or creative writing, it is also frequently employed in advertising and public speaking to make a message stick with the audience.

Now that we have an understanding of what repetition is, let’s dive into some examples of how it can be effectively used in writing.

13 Types of Repetition With Examples

Repetition is a very versatile literary device and can be used in many different ways.

Here are 10 types of repetition, accompanied by examples of each:

1. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases.

One of the most famous anaphora examples comes from Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” – Martin Luther King

Another example:

“ 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…” – Charles Dickets, A Tale of Two Cities

2. Epistrophe

Epistrophe is similar to anaphora, but instead of repeating words or phrases at the beginning of clauses or sentences, it is repeated at the end.

An example can be found in this 2008 presidential victory speech:

“Because if we are willing to work for it and fight for it and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children…” – Barack Obama

3. Symploce

Symploce is the combination of anaphora and epistrophe, where a word or phrase is repeated at both the beginning and end of successive clauses or sentences.

A great example of repetition with symploce can be seen in ‘I Sing the Body Electric:’

“And if the body  does not do fully as much as  the soul ? And if the body  were not the soul, what is  the soul ?” – Walt Whitman

4. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words. It is commonly used in poetry and creates a musical effect.

Some common alliteration examples include:

• From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “So we b eat on, b oats against the current, b orne b ack ceaselessly into the past.”
• From Shakespeare’s Beowulf: “To f east his f ill of the f lesh of men.”

5. Assonance

Similar to alliteration, assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words.

It creates a musical quality to your tone of writing and can evoke certain emotions in readers.

A simple repetition example of assonance can be heard in the words “cr y ing t i me” , where there is a repetition of the long “i” sound between each of the words.

6. Consonance

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within words, rather than just at the beginning.

It adds a sense of rhythm and musicality to writing.

For example,  “ L aura ca ll ed to te ll  me that  L i l a had fa ll en i ll .”

The consonant sound “L” is repeated throughout this phrase.

6. Anadiplosis

Anadiplosis is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence and then at the beginning of the next.

It creates a strong connection between ideas. For example:

“Fear leads to anger , anger leads to hate , hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda in Star Wars

7. Epanalepsis

Epanalepsis is the repetition of the same word or phrase at both the beginning and end of a clause or sentence.

It is used to create emphasis and make a point clear.

A famous example of repetition in literature in the form of epanalepsis is:

“ Blood hath brought blood , and blows answer to blows .” – William Shakespeare, Macbeth

Diacope is a type of repetition that occurs when the same word or phrase is repeated with other words in between.

It comes from the Greek word “diakopon” which means to cut through.

Some examples include:

• “To be , or not to be ” – William Shakespeare in Hamlet
• “ Bond . James Bond .” – James Bond movies
• “He’s so good at playing the guitar. It’s like he was born with a guitar in his hands.”

8. Polyptoton

Polyptoton is the repetition of words with different forms or tenses within a sentence.

It can add complexity and depth to writing. For example:

“I dreamed a dream.” – Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

9. Antistasis

Antistasis is the repetition of a word in a different sense or meaning within the same sentence.

It can create interesting wordplay and add depth to writing.

“ Nothing will come of nothing .” – Shakespeare, Hamlet

10. Antanaclasis

Antanaclasis is the repetition of a word or phrase in two different meanings. It can create clever wordplay and add depth to writing.

“Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.” Groucho Marx

In this example, the word flies has a different meaning in the context of time and the type of insects that love bananas.

“If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.” -Vince Lombardi

11. Epimone

Epimone is a repeated phrase or question to emphasize an important point.

It can also be used as a rhetorical device to engage and persuade readers.

One example of repetition in the form of epimone can be seen below:

“All his brains are in the nape of his neck , Simon Dedalus says. Welts of flesh behind on him. Fat folds of neck , fat , neck , fat , neck .” – James Joyce, Ulysses

12. Epizeuxis

Epizeuxis is the repetition of the same words or phrases for emphasis and intensity.

It adds emotional weight to writing and can create a sense of urgency.

• “ Never , never , never give up.” – Winston Churchill
• “Oh Romeo , Romeo , wherefore art thou Romeo ?” – William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet.

13. Negative-Positive Restatement

Negative-positive restatement is the repetition of an idea in both a negative and positive form or with opposite meanings.

It can highlight contrasts and add depth to writing.

An example can be found in this famous speech:

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools .” – Martin Luther King

The concept is not repeated, but rather the idea is restated in a negative and positive form.

30 Repetition Examples

Now that you have an idea of different types of repetition, here are some other common examples in various contexts.

Repetition Examples in Literature

• “Because I do not hope to turn again. Because I do not hope . Because I do not hope to turn…” – T.S. Eliot in Ash Wednesday
• “I felt happy because I saw the others were happy and because I knew I should feel happy .” – David Foster Wallace in Infinite Jest
• “I am Sam. Sam I am.” – Dr. Seuss in Green Eggs and Ham
• “And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” – Robert Frost in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
• “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole , filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit- hole , and that means comfort.” – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Repetition Examples in Speeches and Politics

• “I have a dream.” – Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech
• “ Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech
• “We will fight on the beaches, we will fight on the landing grounds, we will fight in the fields and in the streets…” – Winston Churchill’s speech
• “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inaugural address
• “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America .” – Bill Clinton’s inaugural address

Repetition Examples in TV and Film

• “ Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. ” – The Godfather Part II
• “ With great power, comes great responsibility. ” – Spider-Man
• “I want the truth ! You can’t handle the truth !” – A Few Good Men (1992)
• “Are you talkin’ to me? Are you talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver
• “ Wax on. Wax off.” – The Karate Kid

Repetition Examples in Music

• “I want to break free. I want to break free.” – I Want to Break Free by Queen
• “I will follow you, Follow you wherever you may go” – I Will Follow You by Elvis Presley
• “Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be . Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.” – Let It Be by The Beatles
• “ I will always love you . I will always love you.” – I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
• “The love you get is equal to the love you make.” – The End by The Beatles

How to Use Repetition Effectively in Writing

Here are some tips to use repetition effectively in your writing:

• Choose the right type of repetition: Consider the purpose and tone of your writing to decide which form of repetition will be most effective. For example, if you want to add emphasis or intensity, epizeuxis might be a good choice. If you want to create an emotional connection, using positive-negative restatement can be effective.
• Use repetition for emphasis: Repetition is a powerful tool to emphasize important ideas or create a sense of urgency in your writing. Use it sparingly and strategically for best effect.
• Create rhythm: Repetition can also add rhythm and flow to your writing, making it more engaging and memorable for readers.
• Avoid overusing repetition: Too much repetition can be monotonous and boring for readers. Make sure to use it sparingly and vary your language to keep readers engaged.
• Consider the context: Repetition may not always be appropriate in certain contexts, such as academic or formal writing. Consider the purpose of your writing and audience before using repetition.
• Edit with intention: After writing, review your work and check if the repetition adds value or if it can be replaced with other techniques to improve the overall impact of your writing.

So next time you’re writing something, remember the power of repetition and use it effectively to engage and persuade your readers.

FAQs About Repetition

Repetition in literature refers to the recurrent use of words, phrases, or structures for emphasis or to make a point. One classic example is Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” where the word “nevermore” is repeated at the end of several stanzas, creating a haunting effect and emphasizing the speaker’s despair.

A good sentence showcasing repetition could be, “She runs fast, she runs efficiently, she runs like the wind.” In this sentence, the repetition of the phrase “she runs” creates emphasis on the speed and skill with which she runs. This repetition not only stresses the point but also adds rhythm to the sentence.

One famous example of repetition is Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech, “I Have a Dream,” which repeats the phrase “I have a dream” multiple times for emphasis and to inspire hope in his audience. This repetition also adds rhythm and power to the speech, making it memorable and impactful.

Repetition is a common technique used in music to create rhythm, emphasize lyrics, or enhance the overall effect of a song. One popular example is the chorus of Beyonce’s hit song “Single Ladies,” where the phrase “if you like it then you should’ve put a ring on it” is repeated multiple times throughout the song. This repetition not only makes the chorus catchy and easy to remember, but it also reinforces the message of the song.

Key Takeaways for Writing Repetition

In conclusion, the use of repetition can greatly amplify the impact of your writing, whether it’s for a poem, a speech, or a song lyric.

When used judiciously, repetition can emphasize key points, evoke emotional responses, and create rhythm.

Famous writers, politicians, and musicians have employed this technique to bring their words to life and leave a lasting impression on their audience.

However, to avoid monotony, it is critical to use this tool sparingly and strategically.

Consider your purpose, audience, and overall context while applying repetition in your writing.

With the right balance, this literary device can turn your piece from ordinary to memorable!

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What Is Repetition in a Story: Definition and Examples of Repetition in Literature

by Fija Callaghan

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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Redundancy in writing: what it is, and why you should avoid it

By Angela Boothroyd

• December 16, 2019

This post looks at redundancy in writing: what it is, why you should avoid it, whether it’s always a bad thing, and how to identify it in your writing. It also includes a list of common examples of redundancy.

Etymology: from Latin redundant , redundāns , present participle of redundāre  - to overflow

What is redundancy?

Redundancy in writing is the unnecessary repetition or duplication of words, phrases, sentences, ideas and information etc. - anything that could be omitted without loss of significance or meaning.

A simple example would be something like:

  We also went to Cambodia too.

also  and too  have the same meaning and therefore one of those words is redundant. We can omit one of them without losing any meaning.

What potential problems does redundancy cause?

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." – French writer and poet Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Superfluous words make your writing less succinct. They’re distracting for your reader and can confuse meaning. Words and information that add unnecessary length, but nothing else, simply make your writing longer while contributing nothing to its quality.

Is redundancy always a bad thing?

Although the word redundancy carries negative connotations, and as we’ve seen it can  affect the quality of your writing, redundancy/repetition is also a linguistically sound way of showing emphasis in your writing.

It can be used for rhetorical effect to draw your readers attention to certain words, ideas, and information.

It’s also useful for reducing the scope for readers to misunderstand or misinterpret your words. And although it’s more common to use repetition in speech, where the possibility for a listener to misunderstand is greater than for a reader, repetition in writing is still a useful tactic.

If a message is entirely without redundancy, if it contains ONLY that which is strictly necessary, it’s easy to lose or radically change the meaning in that message when even a minor error is made.

And last but not least, redundancy can help with the rhythm of your sentences making your writing easier to read.

Examples of redundancy

Below are some common examples of redundant words. Some have a brief explanation, but in general no explanations are needed because the redundancy is clear.

1. new innovation – an innovation is a new idea or product etc. so there is no need to add the word new

         With redundancy:

         A new innovation designed to improve surgical and medical procedures...

         Without redundancy:

         An innovation designed to improve surgical and medical procedures …

2. advance warning - a warning is already advance notification about something; the word advance is superfluous here

3. blend together

4. briefly summarize

5. close proximity

6. collaborate together

7. completely finished

8. consensus of opinion

9. end result

10. evolve over time

11. exactly the same

12. free gift – a gift is already something given free of charge

13. longer or shorter in length – longer or shorter

14. past history – we already know history is something that occurred in the past

15. plan ahead - planning is already preparation for future events and outcomes

16. postpone until later - to postpone is to put off until a later date

17. repeat again – we only need *repeat* here

18. revert back to – and here we only need *revert*

19. unexpected surprise – a surprise is something that happens unexpectedly

20. 6.00 a.m. in the morning - a.m. already tells your reader it’s in the morning

21. A total of  fifty runners took part in the marathon. “A total of” is superfluous. “Fifty runners took part in the marathon” is succinct.

Many of these phrases -   like free gift  and end result  - are common enough that we now don’t give them a second thought.

The ubiquitous free gift is so familiar as to be largely unquestioned (except perhaps among the slightly more pedantic). And I think it’s now even expected that the word ‘free’ is added to avoid any doubt that something is free of charge.

Redundant acronym phrases

You’ve probably heard people say “PIN number”, or even said it yourself. I know I have!

The acronym PIN stands for Personal Identification Number – the numerical code used in electronic financial transactions. So, “PIN number” - which translates as personal identification number number - is a good example of redundancy.

ATM machine - automatic teller machine machine - is another good example.

A redundancy of this type is known as a redundant acronym phrase (RAP), and its use is known as redundant acronym syndrome (RAS). Or, self-referentially, as an “RAP phrase” and “RAS syndrome”!

Other RAPs include:

• HIV virus - human immunodeficiency virus virus
• LAN network - local area network network
• LCD display - liquid crystal display display  

The above are just a few examples of redundancy, but they should give you an idea of what to look out for in your writing.

How to find examples of redundancy in your writing

Check your work for potential redundancies with online proofreading software which will flag up any repetition for you to check and edit if necessary.

You can also go through your finished document yourself using proofreading techniques to check for superfluous content that can be cut out or improved.

An excellent way to identify redundancy is to read your work out loud. Any instances of repetition or duplication should be obvious.

As you’re proofreading, consider whether you really do need technically redundant words for emphasis. And whether repeated information could be removed without affecting your meaning.

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Repetition and Redundancy

Author/Creation:  Nick  Jobe and  Sophia  Stevens, April  2009. Summary:  Discusses the use of repetition for rhetorical effect and  three specific types of repetition (isocolon,  anaphora, epistrophe) and  the  need to avoid redundancy and  two types of redundancy (rhetorical tautology and  RAS syndrome). Learning Objectives: To understand the difference  between  repetition and  redundancy.  To understand the  different types of repetition and  redundancy.  To understand how repetition adds  meaning to a sentence and  why redundancy should  be avoided.

There is a fine line between  repetition and  redundancy. Repetition, if used well, can be a good tool to use in your writing. It can add emphasis to what  you are trying to say and  strengthen a point. There are many  types  of useful  repetition.

Redundancy, on the other  hand, cannot be a good thing. Redundancy happens when the repetition of a word or idea does not add anything to the previous  usage; it just  restates what has already  been said,  takes up space, and  gets in the way without adding meaning.

Repetition There are many  types of useful  repetition, including isocolon,  anaphora, and  epistrophe.

Isocolon Isocolon  is a structural repetition technique that can give academic  and  business writing—as much  as literature and speech—momentum, rhythm, and emphasis.

Essentially, isocolon  involves repetition of the same grammatical structure in two or more phrases or clauses.  This means  that the grammatical structures are parallel  forms, typically  with the same number of words.

The  easiest  way to identify this  form of repetition is to line up sentences or phrases vertically. Label each word according to its grammatical classification (article, adjective, noun, verb, adverb,  etc.).  If all the sentences match up in the number and  class of words, the sentences use isocolon.

Ex.   “…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.” –John  F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address , January 20,  1961

The  repetition pattern for this  particular form is verb – any – noun: 

Repition pattern

pay  any  price

bear  any  burden

meet  any  hardship

support  any  friend

oppose  any  foe

This use of isocolon  strengthens Kennedy’s  speech,  not  only because of the grammatical repetition and the rhythm that results, but also because of the increasing intensity of the nouns. Price changes  to burden . Burden changes  to hardship . Hardship changes  to foe. Friend is thrown

in, seemingly, to showcase the contrast between  the two names  ( friend and   foe ) in order  for foe to strike  harder at the end.

Likewise,  the verbs are similar in definition and  intensity. Pay, bear , and meet all share  the general  definition of to suffer; undergo (dictionary.com). To use the repetition of these synonyms increases their  intensity and  drives  forward  the strength of the speech.   Oppose foe and support friend intensify by contrast.

Isocolon  can also mean  two or more completely parallel  sentences (independent clauses). Ex. Today,  I will be working ’til midnight .   Tomorrow, I will be sleeping ’til noon .

Ex. Bears wield their claws ; cheetahs use their speed ; snakes inject their venom . Clearly,  predation is action.

Anaphora Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase  at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses,  or sentences. Most  often writers use this form of repetition for its dramatic effect in speech or writing. In  fact, the most  common  examples  of anaphora can be found  in well-known  speeches. While anaphora’s effectiveness  may depend  on its delivery  in a speaking situation, remember that speeches are drafted in writing . Written anaphora has many  of the same effects as spoken anaphora.

Ex. “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…” –Charles  Dickens, A Tale  of Two Cities

Notice  the repetition of the opening  phrases it was the , we had , and   w e were all . This  is the powerful  and famous  opening of Dickens’   A Tale  of Two Cities , illustrating that repetition in the form of anaphora can be used effectively.

In  this  instance, the use of contrasting words following the repeated elements strengthens the passage.

best of times – worst of times

age of wisdom – age of foolishness epoch of belief – epoch of incredulity season  of Light – season of Darkness spring of hope – winter of despair

everything – nothing

we were all

going direct  to Heaven – going direct  the  other  way

( Hell ,  implied)

Notice  that the italicized words in each paired  phrase  are opposites, but  the other  bits  (with  two exceptions) are repetitious (age and  age, season  and  season).  The  two exceptions are best and worst , spring and   winter , which contrast.

As a fun side note,  notice  that the movement of the words’ transitions creates  a type of intensity

(and  the end is always despair-- Darkness , Hell ,  etc.).   Times transitions to age which transitions

to epoch (an epoch is an extended period  of time  characterized by a memorable series of events  or development). Similarly, season transitions to spring and   winter .

Anaphora can also be effective for listing, or writing in which you want to emphasize a subject (noun), an action  (verb), or really, any word you’d like to stress. This can be effective when trying to make a point or to make sure a reader  focuses on or remembers a particular word or phrase. Repetition naturally sears what  is repeated into  the readers’  minds, so repeated content will both  grab their attention and  stick  with  them  long after  it is read.

Ex. Some tips  for effective research  papers:

         -     “Good” research  papers  include  a clear thesis  statement.

        -     “Good” research  papers  use a topic  sentence in everybody paragraph.

        -     “Good” research  papers  make  sure every sentence supports its paragraph’s topic sentence and the paper’s  thesis.

Because  of their  primary placement and  consistent wording, anaphoric words or phrases  can ensure  that a certain idea is driven  into  the reader’s  head,  that a set of ideas are clearly tied together, or that a passage sounds more dramatic or poetic.

<Epistrophe Epistrophe is the repetition of a word or words at the end of a phrase  or clause.  Its  placement in a sentence is the opposite of anaphora’s placement of words or phrases. Quite  similarly, though, its rhetorical function is to provide  dramatic or poetic emphasis on an idea or a passage.

Ex. “…and  that government of the people,  by the people,  for the people shall  not  perish  from the earth.” –Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

The  repetition in this  case is the people , which comes at the end of each clause.

Sometimes, it is quicker  to avoid epistrophe and  write in a simplified form,  but  in a paper  of only a single style,  this simplification may actually diminish the effectiveness  of certain points.

For  example,  look back at Abraham Lincoln’s address. Imagine it in simplified form. Ex. “…government of, by, for the people shall not  perish  from the earth.”

Clearly,  the sentence still  makes  sense,  with  each of the three  prepositions corresponding to the shared  object (the people). But what  it lacks is the repetition that makes  each prepositional phrase  such an important element of the sentence.

(Note: Lincoln’s sentence could also be used as an example  for isocolon.  Each  clause is a prepositional phrase  and follows the same pattern: preposition – the – people .)

Sometimes, we use epistrophe naturally, not  only in poetic  or literary situations. Its  usefulness in more formal  writing situations, however, is to add that literary effect to writing that may otherwise sound  plain.

Ex. If the bear population declines  and  the raccoon  population declines, scientists fear a destructive increase  in the number of fish migrating upriver.

There are several other  forms  of repetition, all of which can be equally  successful  in usage,  such as Epizeuxis ,  the repetition of the same word without an interruption in between  (“ Never, never, never quit” –Winston Churchill).  What  they all have in common  is that they emphasize meaning through repetition in such a way that the emotional power of the sentence is much  stronger.

Redundancy Redundancy is the repetition of a word or phrase  that does not  add anything to the previous meaning; it just  restates what has already  been said.

Ex. If we are going to see the movie on opening  night, we will have to get there  early. We have to get to the movie early, because it’s opening  night.

Both  sentences of this example  say the same things, just  with different words.  This  isn’t the only form of redundancy, however. Like repetition, there  are many  different types of redundancy.

Rhetorical Tautology A tautology is a phrase  that repeats a meaning with  different words.

Ex. There was a variety of different foods at Thanksgiving. Ex. As an added bonus , the food was all really good.

Ex. There was an unconfirmed rumor that the Superbowl was going to be canceled.

Ex. However,   past history proved that it would continue no matter what. Ex. But  if it were true, the household would be far from a safe haven .

Notice  the redundancy of the meanings. A rumor is a rumor because it is unconfirmed  by definition. A haven  is a haven  because it is safe by definition.

RAS Syndrome RAS syndrome stands for Redundant Acronym  Syndrome syndrome. It is an example  of what it defines:  Acronyms  or initials that are followed by a word that uses a word that is within the acronym.

Ex. Automated Teller  Machine Machine (ATM  Machine) Ex. Personal Identification Number Number (PIN Number)

Notice  that the final  word following  the acronym is redundant because  it is already  used within the acronym itself.

While there  are many  other  types of redundancy, the ones listed  here are the most  common  ones.

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What is Repetition — Definition and Examples for Writers

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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. 

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 →

Explore more literary devices

Repetition is just one of many literary devices and types of figurative language , including anaphora , assonance , and alliteration . If you're a writer and want to develop your craft fully, do yourself a favor and continue this exploration. The next article on literary devices is a gateway to many of these tools that help add substance and style to any type of written work.

Up Next: Literary Devices Index →

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