Repetition is the repeating of a word, a phrase, sentence or idea within a story. It is used to add more emphasis to an idea and make it clearer and more memorable. Due to this definition, repetition is a common technique used by orators. There are many types of repetition both used in prose and poetry.
Examples1
√ The mother told her child, “don’t cry baby, please don’t cry”.
√ I think you can do it, please do it.
√ I think you can do it, please do it.
√ Tony was a good footballer, because his father was a footballer, and his grandfather was a footballer.
√ Today is my first day at work and today is on Monday.
√ Today is my first day at work and today is on Monday.
√ The bird said, “I don’t sing because I am happy, I am happy because I sing.”
√ The politician declared, “We will fight in the sun and rain, we will fight on all fronts, we will fight for a thousand years.”
√ God is our creator, God is our protector and God is our shelter.
√ God is our creator, God is our protector and God is our shelter.
√ The judge commanded, stamping his mallet on the table, “Order in the court, order in the court.”
√ The refugees were crossing into the neighboring country when they saw blood all around — blood on the passageways, blood on the fields, blood on the walls.
√ During the pandemic of COVID-19, the people are advised to stay home so as to stay safe.
√ During the pandemic of COVID-19, the people are advised to stay home so as to stay safe.
√ When they came out of the cinema hall, they all agreed, the film was a waste of money, it was a waste of time and energy.
√ The mayor said, “Work, work, and work,” are the keys to success.
√ The orator said, “Good morning to the old, good morning to the young, good morning to each and every one present.”
√ The general said to his soldiers, “Men — You must fight for the life of your people, your family, and your country.”
√ The students chanted to raise the spirits of their team during the match, “We will win, we will win.”
Examples2:1940 Speech to House of Commons by Winston Churchill
“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, 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. We shall never surrender.”
Examples3: I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.
“ I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification – one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
Leave a comment