Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or group of words is repeated at the beginning of two or more consecutive clauses or sentences. The repeated word or phrase establishes a connection and emphasizes a particular idea or theme in the text.
Here are three examples:
- “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills.” – Winston Churchill, speech to the House of Commons in 1940.
- “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.” – Emile Coué, self-help practitioner.
- “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 Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech.
Anaphora is often used in literature, poetry, and speeches to create a sense of rhythm, emphasis, and cohesion in the text. It can also evoke emotion and make a memorable impact on the audience.
Benjamin L. Stewart 