epistrophe

/i'pistrəfi/

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Epistrophe is a noun that refers to a literary device where the same word or phrase is repeated at the end of two or more successive sentences, verses, or clauses. It is used to create emphasis and can make a statement more memorable.

Simple Explanation:

When you use epistrophe, you repeat the same word or phrase at the end of sentences. This repetition can help to highlight an important idea or feeling.

Usage Instructions:

1. Identify the key idea or emotion you want to emphasize.
2. Use that word or phrase at the end of your sentences to create a rhythm or strong emotional impact.
3. Make sure to use it in contexts where repetition can enhance the message.

Example:

• "I will not back down. You will not back down. We shall not back down."
• In this example, "back down" is repeated at the end of each sentence to emphasize determination.

Advanced Usage:

Epistrophe can be found in poetry, speeches, and prose. It is often used alongside other rhetorical devices, such as anaphora (the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of sentences), to create a powerful effect.

Word Variants:

• Epistrophic (adjective): Describing something that uses epistrophe.
• Example: "The epistrophic phrases in the poem added to its emotional weight."

Different Meaning:

While "epistrophe" primarily refers to the repetition in literary contexts, it can also sometimes be used in discussions about speech patterns or rhetoric in general.

Synonyms:

• Repetition
• Reduplication
• Echo (when referring to a similar sound or idea)

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically relate to "epistrophe," but understanding repetition can help you grasp concepts in phrases like "history repeats itself," where the idea of repetition is central.

Summary:

Epistrophe is a useful tool in writing and speaking to create emphasis and make phrases more impactful.

Academic

Noun

1. repetition of the ends of two or more successive sentences, verses, etc.

Synonyms

• epiphora