Glossary
What is anaphora in a speech?
a·naph·o·ra · noun · /əˈnafərə/
Anaphora is the rhetorical device of repeating the same word or phrase at the start of successive sentences — used to create rhythm, emphasis and emotional momentum.
Anaphora is one of the oldest rhetorical patterns in speechmaking — and one of the most useful. By repeating a phrase, you give your audience a handhold: each time the phrase returns, the meaning behind it gets larger.
How to use it
Pick the line you most want the audience to remember. Repeat it at the start of three short, parallel sentences, each one building the idea forward. Then stop — anaphora past three uses starts to feel like a stunt.
Related terms
People also ask
What's the most famous example of anaphora? −
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" — the phrase is repeated eight times, each time framing a different image.
Can I use it in a normal talk? +
Yes, sparingly. Three repetitions creates rhythm without sounding theatrical; more than that and you'll feel like a preacher.