4.3.5

Repetition

Test yourself on Repetition

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Repetition

Repetition is when the same words or phrases are written multiple times (in a sentence or a whole text) to make an idea more memorable or clearer. Repetition can also be used to emphasise an important idea in a text.

Repetition of __'silent/silence'__

Repetition of 'silent/silence'

  • The silence made her shiver – the silent wind, the silent waves, and his silent breathing.
    • Repetition of ‘silent’ emphasises the quietness the character is experiencing.
    • The repeated ‘silent’ also creates a spooky, eerie atmosphere and alters the mood of the piece.
    • By choosing to repeat this particular part, we have helped to build tension, which leaves a reader wondering what will happen next.
Repetition of __'we will'__

Repetition of 'we will'

  • We will work hard and we will win!
    • Repetition of ‘we’ emphasises the idea that the writer/speak and the reader/audience will be working together to achieve a common goal.
    • Repetition of ‘will’ emphasises the determination behind the goal – it is guaranteed that this goal will be achieved, and the writer is so confident in this that they have repeated it.
    • By choosing to repeat this particular part, we have helped to build a relationship between the writer and the reader.
Repetition of __'vital'__

Repetition of 'vital'

  • Revision is vital for reminding yourself about key facts, vital in developing your understanding of each topic, and vital to improving your subject knowledge.
    • Repetition of ‘vital’ emphasises the importance of the initial idea – the revision.
    • The repeated ‘vital’ leaves no room for argument or doubt – the writer gives the clear impression that revision is the key to success here.

Tips for Using Repetition

Repetition is when the same words or phrases are written multiple times (in a sentence or a whole text) to make an idea more memorable or clearer. Repetition can also be used to emphasise an important idea in a text.

Don't over-repeat words

Don't over-repeat words

  • Don’t over-repeat the words you have chosen to repeat – you risk making your writing too repetitive and boring.
Only repeat important words

Only repeat important words

  • Only repeat words you think are important and should be emphasised. In some cases, repetition is not necessary – instead, vary your vocabulary.
Choose vocabulary carefully

Choose vocabulary carefully

  • Your choice of vocabulary is vital in creating your language devices effectively.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terms

1.1

Key Terms

1.1.1Key Terms - Nouns, Verbs & Sentences1.1.2Key Terms - Sentence and Clause Types1.1.3Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language1.1.4Key Terms - Types of Language1.1.5Key Terms - Images, Symbols & Mood1.1.6Key Terms - Mood & Feelings1.1.7Key Terms - Other Techniques1.1.8End of Topic Test - Key Terms
2

Language Devices

2.1

Language Devices

2.1.1Metaphors2.1.2Similes2.1.3Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning2.1.4Personification2.1.5Pathetic Fallacy2.1.6Puns & Oxymorons2.1.7Hyperbole & Emotive Language2.1.8Alliteration2.1.9Sibilance2.1.10Onomatopoeia2.1.11Recap: Language Devices2.1.12End of Topic Test - Language Devices
3

Writing Structure

3.1

Writing Structure

3.1.1Narrators3.1.2Paragraphs3.1.3Tense3.1.4Present vs Past vs Future Tense3.1.5Foreshadowing3.1.6Structure3.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Structure
4

Section B: Reading & Writing

4.1

Writing Formats

4.1.1Letter4.1.2Reports & Essays4.1.3Journal/Diary Entry4.1.4Speech4.1.5Newspaper Article4.1.6Leaflet4.1.7Review4.1.8Travel Writing4.1.9End of Topic Test - Writing Formats
4.2

Writing to...

4.2.1Writing to Inform4.2.2Writing to Inform - Example4.2.3Writing to Explain4.2.4Writing to Explain - Example4.2.5Writing to Persuade4.2.6Writing to Persuade - Example4.2.7Writing to Argue4.2.8Writing to Argue - Example4.2.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue4.2.10Writing to Advise4.2.11Writing to Advise - Example4.2.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
4.3

Acronym of Techniques - DAFORESTAR

4.3.1Direct Address4.3.2Alliteration4.3.3Facts4.3.4Opinions4.3.5Repetition4.3.6Exaggeration (Hyperbole)4.3.7Statistics4.3.8Triple (Rule of 3)4.3.9Emotive Language4.3.10Rhetorical Questions4.3.11End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER
5

Section C: Writing

5.1

Writing Task

5.1.1Discursive Writing5.1.2Narrative Writing5.1.3Descriptive Writing5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Task

Practice questions on Repetition

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which phrases use repetition?True / false
  2. 2
    Which word is repeated in this phrase?<br><br><b>Can't you see how hard I am trying? Can't we give this another go?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What should you NOT do when using repetition?Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Is this a good example of repetition?<br><br><b>Henry was a good boy. Henry had nice clothes. Henry was a pleasant singer. Henry enjoyed dancingMultiple choice
  5. 5
    What could we do instead of repeating the adjective 'nice' in this sentence?<br><br><b>Mary had a nice house on a nice estate with nice neighbours and nice gardens.Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Repetition

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Opinions

Exaggeration (Hyperbole)