Anaphora | Definition & Examples
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses to create rhythm, emphasize a point, or evoke emotion. Repetition of the same phrase, especially at the beginning of each new line, can reinforce key ideas and captivate audiences.
Anaphora definition
Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It has a rhythmic effect that creates a pattern to emphasize a specific message or build emotion within the listener.
The word “anaphora” originates from Greek and translates to “to carry back.” The deliberate repetition at the beginning of the sentence creates an engaging effect for the reader or listener. This is why we often see anaphora in poetry and persuasive writing.
Because anaphora and other types of repetition (such as assonance and alliteration) are powerful mnemonic aids, we often hear anaphoras in song lyrics and political speeches. Using anaphora makes it easier for the listener to remember key messages, making music catchier and speeches more persuasive.
Anaphora examples
Anaphora is effective in written form, but it can be far more powerful when used in speeches. The speaker can use vocal intonation to help convey a message. And because listeners can’t go back and reread what was said, speakers use repetition in anaphora to evoke emotion and emphasize their point.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
Now is the time to make justice a reality.
Anaphora can also be used in song lyrics to make songs catchier and easier to remember.
Don’t know much biology.
Don’t know much about a science book,
Don’t know much about the French I took.
But I do know that I love you,
And I know that if you love me, too,
What a wonderful world this would be.
Anaphora vs. epistrophe
Anaphora and epistrophe are both rhetorical devices that repeat words for emphasis and rhythm, but there’s one key difference.
- Anaphora repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of subsequent clauses or sentences. This can emphasize an idea, evoke emotion, and bring the reader or listener back to the beginning of each new thought.
- Epistrophe repeats a word or phrase at the end of subsequent clauses or sentences. This can emphasize the last part of each sentence and leave a powerful memory in the reader or listener.
| Anaphora | “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 Dickens |
| Epistrophe | “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…”—Corinthians 13:11 |
Frequently asked questions about anaphora
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