DEFINITION
Epiphora is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
Epiphora is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
Examples:
"You will find washing beakers helpful in passing this course, using the gas chromatograph desirable for passing this course, and studying hours on end essential to passing this course."
"The cars do not sell because the engineering is inferior, the quality of materials is inferior, and the workmanship is inferior."
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.”
“We are born to sorrow, pass our time in sorrow, end our days in sorrow.”
"…and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth." (a famous example of epistrophe by President Abraham Lincoln in his "Gettysburg Address")
Notice, in these examples, that the repeated words come at the end of the phrases or clauses.
PRACTICE: Expand and add elegance to these sentences by using epistrophe:
* Lily was given a special award at graduation.
* Many things are important in Asia's life.
* Young Julia could see the trees outside from where she was sitting.
REMINDER: Epiphora, like all writing tools, should be used carefully and sparingly. Do not overdo it. Like gold, these special tools are valuable only if they are rare.
