Is Repetition a Figurative Language?

Repetition and the Figurative Language

Since repetition is a rhetorical device often used in literary pieces, it is commonly mistaken as figurative language. However, figurative language is a broad concept that uses figures of speech in language. These figures of speech are words or phrases that possess different meanings from their literal definition.

Rhetorical Patterns and Figures in Literature

Rhetoric refers to the art of effective speaking or writing using composition techniques and figures of speech. Its main purpose is to inform, persuade, or motivate audiences. A rhetorical pattern is a way of organizing information for different rhetorical situations. On the other hand, a rhetorical figure or device is a word or phrase that is employed to achieve a particular emphasis or effect. Its purpose is to deviate the original figurative language to produce a rhetorical effect. There are three rhetorical figures that belong to the family of repetitive figures: chiasmus, epanaphora (anaphora), and epiphora.

Many figures of speech use repetition in their techniques. This creates confusion if repetition is indeed figurative language. But no, repetition is not figurative language. It is just an element that comprises the figures of speech.

Let’s look at an example like the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement is a social justice campaign that addresses police brutality and systemic racism. To emphasize their message, BLM uses rhetorical figures such as repetition, chiasmus, epanaphora, and epiphora. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is repeated constantly in BLM protests to convey the need for change. Black lives matter essay samples on Graduateway can provide a deeper understanding of the movement. The use of rhetorical figures in BLM protests has effectively highlighted their cause and made it a crucial social justice movement of our time.

The Figures of Speech that Uses Repetition

To show you how figures of speech use repetition, here’s a complete list showing how repetition is utilized in the techniques.

• Alliteration – repeats the same initial sound.
• Anadiplosis – repeats the last word in the next sentence.
• Anaphora – repeats the initial words.
• Antanaclasis – repeats the same word but with a change of meaning.
• Antimetabole – repeats clauses and reverses word order.
• Antistrophe – repeats the final word in successive phrases.
• Assonance – repeats the same vowel sound.
• Chiasmus – comprises two phrases with a reversal in the second.
• Consonance – repeats the consonant sounds.
• Espanados – repeats words in reverse order.
• Epistrophe – repeats the same final word or phrase.
• Epizeuxis – repeats a word with vehemence.
• Homoioteleuton – uses similar endings in adjacent or parallel words.
• Inclusio – brackets a passage using the same words.
• Parachesis – repeats the same sound in successive words.
• Parallelism – repeats a pattern in a sentence.
• Paregmenon – repeats the words having the same root.
• Parison – includes matching patterns across structures.
• Paroemion – uses excessive alliteration in the passage.
• Polyptoton – comprises repetition in various forms.
• Polysyndeton – repeats the usage of conjunctions.
• Repetitio – repeats a single word.
• Synonymia – repeats synonyms to provide emphasis.
• Tautology – repeats the meaning unnecessarily.
• Tricolon – repeats three components to amplify power.