Epanalepsis
A Rhetoric Tool
Why use an epanalepsis in speech or writing?
- An epanalepsis gets a point across by repeating a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a sentence
- Can make the desired emotion more obvious.
- Creates a rhythm in speech.
- Makes the audience remember the point.
Example
"Cake- everybody loves cake!"-Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy in Shrek)
Example
"...if anyone is out there...if there's anybody out there."- Will Smith (in I am Legend)
- really emphasizes his character's emotion of desperation
Example
"Justice-that's all I ask- justice."- Denzel Washington (in The Hurricane)
- highlights the importance of "justice"