Symploce

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Symploce

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Symploce is using the same words at the start and the same words at the end of successive sentences.

Example

If the argue, we well resist. If they fight, we will resist. If they invade, we will resist.

I cannot begin to love you. I cannot recommend anyone else to love you.

Discussion

Symploce is a combination of anaphora (repeating words at the start of a sentence) and epistrophe (repeating words at the end of the sentence). The effect is a powerful repetition that hammers home an important point.

This is an interesting example of how figures of speech can be combined into an even more effective form.

Classification: Repetition