Using Repetition in Writing

Introduction

Repetition, as a literary device, involves the deliberate recurrence of words, phrases, or structures within a text. Its primary purpose is to emphasize, reinforce, or underscore key themes, ideas, or emotions. Using repetition, authors can create rhythm, pattern, and resonance in their writing, enhancing the overall impact of their work. This device is a powerful tool for writers to draw the reader’s attention to significant elements and craft memorable, impactful prose.

How to Create a Repetition

Creating Repetition	Example
1. Identify key concepts or phrases	Using repetition of the phrase “love conquers all” in a poem or essay about the power of love.
2. Use a parallel structure	“She likes to swim, jog, and dance” – repeating the verb structure in a series of activities.
3. Repeat keywords	“Education is the key to success. With education, you can unlock doors, overcome obstacles, and achieve greatness.”
4. Utilize anaphora	“I have a dream that one day… I have a dream that one day… I have a dream that one day…” – Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech.
5. Employ epistrophe	“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.” – repeating the phrase “as a child” at the end of each clause.
6. Make use of alliteration	“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
7. Implement refrain	“Never give up. Never lose hope. Keep pushing forward.” – repeating the phrase “Never give up” as a refrain throughout a motivational speech.
8. Include parallel scenes or events	Describing a character’s morning routine in detail at the beginning and end of a story.
9. Reiterate through dialogue	“Are you sure? Are you really sure?” – a character repeating the same question for emphasis.
10. Using repetition for emphasis	“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” – repeating the phrase “rage” to emphasize the message.
11. Establish a rhythm	“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” – repeating the “is” sound in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Remember, while using repetition is a powerful tool in writing, it is essential to use it judiciously. Too much use of one type of repetition could become monotonous or redundant, so balance is key.

Benefits of Using Repetition

There are several benefits to using repetition in writing, including:

Benefit	Example and Explanation
Emphasis	Example: “Never, never, never give up.” – Winston Churchill
	Explanation: This repetition of “never” emphasizes the importance of the idea or statement.
Rhythm	Example: “I have a dream that one day… I have a dream that one day…” – Martin Luther King Jr.
	Explanation: Repetition creates a rhythmic pattern in writing, making it more engaging and pleasing to the ear.
Clarity	Example: “Education is the key to success. With education, you can unlock doors, overcome obstacles, and achieve greatness.”
	Explanation: Here repetition of education helps reinforce and clarify an important concept or idea.
Unity	Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets…” – Winston Churchill
	Explanation: Here the repetition of “We shall fight…” creates a sense of unity and cohesion in writing.
Memorable	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…” – Charles Dickens
	Explanation: Here the repetition of “it was…” makes the writing more memorable.

Repetition in Literary Theory

Repetition is a literary device that is used in various literary theories to achieve different effects. Here are eight examples of how repetition is used in literary theory:

Literary Theory	Critique of Repetition	Practical Example
Structuralism	Views repetition as a fundamental structural element in literary writings, creating patterns of meaning and signification.	“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe uses repetition of phrases like “midnight dreary,” “tapping,” and “chamber door” to establish binary meanings and shape the text’s interpretation.
Psychoanalysis	Sees repetition as a symptom of psychological trauma, repression, or fixation, indicating unresolved conflicts or desires expressed unconsciously.	In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield’s repetitive use of the word “phony” reflects his underlying psychological struggle with authenticity and phoniness.
New Criticism	Regards repetition as a means to create unity and coherence within a text, using repetitive motifs, symbols, or images to establish patterns and resonance.	In William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, the repetition of the image of a clock represents the family’s disintegration and the relentless passage of time.
Reader-Response Theory	Views repetition as a way to engage readers collaboratively in creating meaning. Repetitive language or imagery encourages readers to make connections based on their experiences.	In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the repeated mention of the scar on Harry’s forehead invites readers to explore its significance and form their interpretations.
Feminism	Interprets repetition as a tool to expose patriarchal power structures and challenge gender norms, revealing how women’s experiences are marginalized in literature.	In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the repetitive description of the wallpaper symbolizes the narrator’s oppression and confinement within her domestic role.

Suggested Readings

1. Fled, Steven. Sound and Sentiment: Birds, Weeping, Poetics, and Song in Kaluli Expression. 2nd ed., University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016.
2. Hobsbaum, Philip. Metre, Rhythm and Verse Form. Routledge, 2013.
3. Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2002.
4. Shklovsky, Viktor. Theory of Prose. Translated by Benjamin Sher, Dalkey Archive Press, 1991.

You may read more on Literary Devices below:

• Discourse: Literary Device
• Writing Biographies: Critiquing It
• Biography: A Literary Genre
• Jargon: Using and Critiquing It