Definition
What is anaphora?
The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence to achieve an artistic effect.
Anaphora repeats the beginning of phrases or sentences to create rhythm, reinforce an idea, and build emotional momentum. It’s common in speeches, poetry, and lyrical prose. The power comes from accumulation: each repeated opening primes the reader, and the variation after the repeat lands harder. Because it’s foregrounded, use it purposefully and sparingly.
On the page
Anaphora examples
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi...”
“Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!”
Famous examples in literature
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."—anaphora establishes duality and rhythm immediately.
Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking
Walt Whitman
Whitman layers anaphora to create musicality and cumulative meaning.
The Beatitudes
Biblical (Matthew 5)
"Blessed are..." repeated to structure and emphasize moral points.
For writers
How writers use anaphora
- Choose a short, strong phrase to repeat
- Ensure each repetition adds or escalates meaning
- Use sparingly—too much feels heavy-handed
- Pair with parallel structure for maximum effect
Why it matters
- Builds momentum and emotional intensity
- Creates memorable, chant-like rhythm
- Highlights key ideas through repetition
- Effective in speeches and lyrical prose
Across different genres
"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds..." (Churchill)
Opening each line with the same word to create musical cadence
A character mantra repeated at the start of internal thoughts as tension rises
Repetition of a warning phrase that grows more ominous each time
Common pitfalls
- Overuse: readers tune out if repetition feels padded
- Weak base phrase: a flabby repeated clause dulls impact
- No escalation: each repetition should advance or deepen
- Monotony: vary sentence endings to keep freshness
Try it in your own writing
- Speech: Write 6–8 lines of a rallying speech using anaphora to build urgency
- Horror: Repeat a benign phrase that turns terrifying by the third iteration
- Poetry: Compose a stanza where each line begins the same but ends with unexpected images
Quick answers
Anaphora FAQ
What is anaphora?
The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence to achieve an artistic effect. Anaphora repeats the beginning of phrases or sentences to create rhythm, reinforce an idea, and build emotional momentum. It’s common in speeches, poetry, and lyrical prose. The power comes from accumulation: each repeated opening primes the reader, and the variation after the repeat lands harder. Because it’s foregrounded, use it purposefully and sparingly.
What are some examples of anaphora?
The examples on this page include I Have a Dream and King John. Each one shows how the device works in context.
How can writers use anaphora effectively?
Choose a short, strong phrase to repeat Ensure each repetition adds or escalates meaning Use sparingly—too much feels heavy-handed