What anaphora is and how it works

What is anaphora?

Anaphora is a rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of back-to-back sentences, phrases, or clauses. This technique can help make your writing more memorable. It comes from the Greek word anapherein, which means “to carry back.”¹ Anaphora is used by writers and public speakers to create emphasis, rhythm, or drama. It’s especially common among poets and songwriters.

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Examples of anaphora

Here’s an example of anaphora:

My cat likes to meow. My cat likes to nap. My cat likes to eat.

In these three sentences, “my cat likes to” is anaphora.

Here’s another example of anaphora:

I love my life. I love my dog. I love my car. I love my house.

In these four sentences, “I love my” is anaphora.

Examples of anaphora in literature

A famous example of anaphora is from Charles Dickens’ book A Tale of Two Cities:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”

In this passage, the phrase “it was the” is the anaphora.

This passage from the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett uses anaphora:

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”

In this well-known quote, the repetition of “you is” is anaphora.

Anaphora in plays

Shakespeare often used anaphora in his plays. Here’s an example of anaphora in Hamlet:

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.”

In this passage, “doubt” is anaphora.

Anaphora can also be found in Romeo and Juliet:

“It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like the lightning.”

Anaphora in speeches

One of the most famous speeches of all time uses anaphora. In I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King Jr. says:

“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.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

In his speech, “I have a dream” is the anaphora.

Anaphora versus epistrophe

Like anaphora, epistrophe is a rhetorical device that uses repetition. However, epistrophe uses repeated words or phrases at the end of clauses or sentences, rather than the beginning of them. Here’s an example of epistrophe used in Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech I Have a Dream:

“With this faith we will be able to work together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

In this passage, “together” is used as an epistrophe.

When to use anaphora in your writing

You can use anaphora in creative works, like poetry, songs, or speeches. Anaphora can also be a powerful tool in persuasive writing since it adds emotion to your work. However, you may want to avoid using anaphora in formal writing, like scholarly or business pieces, where your writing should be clear and concise.

Now that you know what anaphora is, you can identify it and use it with confidence. Up next, explore what the rule of three is and how you can use it to enhance your writing.