What are some examples of epistrophes?
Asked by: Jeff Schimmel | Last update: April 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (59 votes)
An epistrophe example is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, like in Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "government of the people, by the people, for the people" or Barack Obama's "Yes, we can," emphasizing key ideas for impact and memorability. Other examples include Kurt Cobain's lyrics "I'm not gonna crack," or the Bible's "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child," highlighting a powerful, rhythmic effect.
What is an example of an epistrophe?
Epistrophe is the repetition of a word or multiple words at the end of successive clauses or sentences. For example, the line “if you like it then you should've put a ring on it” from Beyonce's 'Single Ladies.
What is an example of an epiphora?
Epiphora (or epistrophe) examples include Lincoln's "government of the people, by the people, for the people," repeating "the people," and Shakespeare's "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" emphasizing "Out," used in speeches, songs (like Beyoncé's "put a ring on it"), and literature to create rhythm and focus on key ideas through repetition at the end of clauses. It's a rhetorical device, the opposite of anaphora (repetition at the beginning).
What is an example of an epistrophe AP Lang?
Epistrophe—repetition at the end of a line, phrase or clause of the word or words that occurred at the beginning of the same line, phrase or clause. Example: Emerson, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us."
Why do writers use epistrophes?
Epistrophe is used in creative writing to add emphasis, to help to add weight to an idea. The use of repetition can make a statement more dramatic, and it can help to make the writing more memorable.
What is an Epistrophe? | explanation with examples | The Modern Learning
What is another word for epistrophe?
It is also known as epiphora and occasionally as antistrophe. It is a figure of speech and the counterpart of anaphora. It is an extremely emphatic device because of the emphasis placed on the last word in a phrase or sentence.
Can epistrophe be overused?
Overusing epistrophe can dilute its effect. Avoid using phrases that feel forced or unnatural.
What is an epistrophe sentence?
Epistrophe is a literary device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or phrases. It is used to draw attention to the words, usually because they are of great significance in the text.
What are the 10 examples of rhetorical questions?
Rhetorical questions are used for effect, not to get an answer, often emphasizing a point or expressing emotion like frustration, obviousness, or agreement, with examples including "Who cares?", "Is the sky blue?", "Do I look like I'm made of money?", "What's in a name?", and "Why bother?". They can highlight an obvious truth, express disbelief, or make an audience think without expecting a literal response, serving as powerful persuasive tools.
What is a famous example of repetition?
The most famous modern example of a first kind of repetition to use comes in Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech from 1963: 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. '
What are 5 literary devices examples?
Five key literary devices are Metaphor (comparison without 'like'/'as'), Simile (comparison using 'like'/'as'), Alliteration (repeated initial sounds), Foreshadowing (hints of future events), and Irony (contrast between expectation and reality), all used by writers to add depth, emotion, and impact to their work.
What is the difference between epiphora and epistrophe?
Epiphora is also known as epistrophe and sometimes epiphora are also called as antistrophe. If these repeating words are placed at the end of multiple lines, but those are not consecutive in structure, that can't be considered as epiphora.
What are 5 examples of anaphora?
Here are 5 examples of anaphora, the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive clauses for emphasis, seen in speeches, songs, and literature: (1) "We shall fight on the beaches... we shall fight on the landing grounds..." (Churchill), (2) "I have a dream... I have a dream..." (MLK Jr.), (3) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." (Dickens), (4) "Every breath you take. Every move you make..." (The Police), and (5) "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.".
What does epistrophe mean for kids?
When you repeat a word or phrase again and again at the end of a series of sentences, that's epistrophe. You can use epistrophe as a rhetorical device when you give a speech, to emphasize your ideas.
What is an example of an epiphora in literature?
The proverbial principle "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is an example of epiphora. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks.
What is an epistrophe in biology?
The chloroplast of the plant cell, specifically the chloroplast of leaf cells aligns parallel to the walls of mesophyll cells i.e mainly palisade cells when the intensity of the sunshine is minimum, in order to get more and more sunshine. This type of condition is commonly known as Epistrophe.
What is a question that needs no answer?
A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point, rather than get an answer.
What are the 4 rhetorical choices?
The four primary rhetorical choices, or appeals, are Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and Kairos, which are strategies writers use to persuade audiences by appealing to credibility, emotion, logic, and timeliness, respectively, while other key choices involve devices like anaphora (repetition) or metaphor to emphasize points and shape language.
Is rain wet a rhetorical question?
Some common rhetorical questions are: Is rain wet? Is the Pope Catholic? Do you think money grows on trees? Or, famously, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks the rhetorical question, “'What's ...
What are 5 examples of epistrophes?
II. Examples of Epistrophe
- Last week, he was just fine. Yesterday, he was just fine. And today, he was just fine.
- I'm tired of this job. I'm over this job. I'm done with this job!
- The award for best hair went to Josh. The award for most likely to succeed went to Josh. And the award for most charming? It went to Josh!
What is an epistrophe in writing?
Epistrophe is the repetition of a word or words at the end of successive lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Its primary purpose is to draw attention to important ideas, create emphasis, and make key points more memorable.
How to use epistrophe effectively?
An epiphora or epistrophe is the repetition or a word or phrase at the end of a phrase, clause, or sentence1. To prewrite to include an epistrophe, you can try making a mind map with an important idea that you want to emphasize in the middle of the map and related ideas written around the central important idea.
What is an example of epistrophe in a famous speech?
Epistrophe is a rhetorical device that relies on repetition. One of the most famous examples of epistrophe is from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: . . . government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Why do authors use epistrophes?
Poetry and Song Lyrics: Poets and songwriters often use epistrophe to create rhythm, emphasize emotions, and make their words more memorable. Literature: In prose writing, epistrophe can be used to create a sense of urgency, highlight a character's inner thoughts, or add a touch of rhetorical flourish.
What is the opposite of an epistrophe?
Epistrophe is the opposite of anaphora.