Rhetorical terms · AP English Language, SAT Reading and Writing, ACT Reading
Anaphora
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences or lines.
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What it means
Anaphora creates rhythm, builds emphasis and makes a passage memorable. It is common in speeches because repetition helps listeners follow and remember an argument. The repeated phrase often carries the central idea.
When analyzing anaphora, explain what the repetition emphasizes and how its build-up affects the audience, especially when the pattern breaks.
Example
'We will rebuild the school. We will rebuild the library. We will rebuild the trust this town has lost.' The repeated 'we will rebuild' moves from buildings to something less tangible, giving the last item extra weight.
On the exam
Anaphora appears frequently in AP Lang speech passages. Explain the effect the repetition has on the audience.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- ParallelismUsing the same grammatical structure for related ideas in a sentence or series, for balance and clarity.
- SyntaxThe arrangement of words, phrases and clauses in sentences, including sentence length, order and structure.
- AntithesisPlacing contrasting ideas side by side in parallel structure to sharpen the contrast.