But aren't we suppose to avoid repeating words when we write?
Sure. If you don't need to. But sometimes you just NEED to. What do I mean? How can we do this?
How to use repetition in sentences and paragraphs:
Here is a BAD example of repeating words:
Clare walked up to the door, opened the door, and when she saw it was her ex, she slammed the door in his face.
Here are some GOOD examples of repeating words or ideas:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolisness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way...
-- Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state, sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
- — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
How can we do this in a chapter?
Have a point. What do you want the reader to get from the chapter? For instance, in one of my novels, my MC is missing her best friend over the Christmas holidays (I haven't actually looked at the chapter's exact sentences but I think you'll get the point).
I opened the chapter with something like...
I hate Christmas.
Later in the chapter, the best friend returns home and she admits,
Christmas is not so bad.
When the best friend gives her a really thoughtful gift, the chapter ends with her saying,
Christmas is the best time of the year.
The chapter is more powerful when you read it in its entirety but I think you get the point. You can repeat words or phrases throughout a chapter for effect.
When have you seen REPETITION used? Do you like using these devices?
Sources: Wikipedia, about.com, The Writing-Lover's Website
I think all writers use this devise at one time or another. Sometimes you need to do this to drive a point.
ReplyDeleteIT's all in how its presented. If its done creatively the reader won't feel its repetitious.
Michael
Clarissa - I think repetition really can be powerful when it's used well. I've been in the education field for a long time, and I can tell you from experience that it's an extremely effective learning tool for learning content. It's also a very effective strategy for learning language, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd the opening of "A tale of two cities" is also an interesting example because 1. It's all in passive voice and 2. It's telling.
ReplyDeleteTo me repetition is like someone pointing a finger at you, do it right and they stand in awe. Do it wrong and they point one back :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Sure, I think this is a great device as long as it's subtle.
ReplyDeleteI love how you represented the re-use of words! I try not to do that but sometimes the sentence comes out all wrong!! Thank goodness for revisions or people may tell me not to quit my day job!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Clarissa! I particularly like to use repetition in a lyrical way. But even when it is very subtle it still helps drive home a message like nothing else can.
ReplyDeletehi miss clarissa! i been learning about essays from my teacher and shes pretty strong on not doing repeat words. but for sure i could see from what you said that they got a special place if they could make something more strong and meaningful. for sure im gonna remember it ok but not all the time.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Repetition works when it's done well. In advertising, there's this way of writing an ad:
ReplyDeleteTell them what you're going to tell them.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.
Repetition.
I do and like you I’ve careful when I used them. It’s to create a mood or feeling.
ReplyDeleteI tend to list toward alliteration myself, but I do like this device. Kind of hard to do in a non-monologue sort of way.
ReplyDeleteRepetition can really be an effective literary device when used well, like in the examples you gave. How I love that opening of A Tale of Two Cities. Awesome! Makes me want to reread the book, and I think I have it free on the Kindle.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteRepetition is a great device, a great device... :) - it can be very useful in heightening and highlighting in fiction, if used sparingly! Poetry is a different story, poetry loves it!
Have you changed your blog a little, it seems brighter, fresher today!
One week in a graduate student poetry workshop, the assignment was to write a poem using repetition. The trick is to use it in such a way as to enhance the theme, the message, the emotional impact. These are perfect examples of the power of effective repetition, and I love the "door" example. Bad. It's like what annoys me in a number of books I've read lately (most of them self-published)where the author keeps repeating the character's name when a pronoun will do. This is weak repetition, one of the first things a (superb/published/award-winning) writing teacher pointed out and said to avoid when I was in a writing workshop in graduate school. Maybe address this in a post?
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Long Journey Home
I do like it, as long as it's not overdone, of course. Struggling to think of an example, but I love yours!
ReplyDeleteSometimes repetition is unavoidable. I was editing a book earlier this week that had a sentence something like this: "I heard the turn signal...and felt the car turning left." (narrator is being kidnapped and can't see anything going on) I tried to change the words, even enlisted my partner in the search. But anything else would have been intrusive. (Directional devices, anyone?) Great post.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Stephen King who said that "hell is repetition." He was referring to having to do the same thing, over and over.
ReplyDeleteWhen it's done well, it's a great thing (while reading). When it is not done well, we don't like it!
Stephen King used repetition to create terror and fear. I can think of several exammples from "The Shining."
Good food for thought Clarissa!
Hmmm... I think I do repetition, although I do it more by feel than by thought.
ReplyDelete:-)
Dickens was brilliant at this trick so though I don´t usually recognize quotations, I´ll never forget these opening words.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I use some kind of frame in my flash fiction, opening with an intriguing sentence (hopefully), and rounding off with almost the same words. My readers seem to like those stories.
repeating words is much more allowed in English than in my own language so I often have to throw words away while translating :)
ReplyDeleteRepetition is one of my favourite devices as well. I try not to use it too often though otherwise it looses its impact.
ReplyDeleteAs your post pointed out, repetition can be powerful. I use repetition in my story to evoke a warning in the form of legends that are woven into the plot. Some of the legends are about to come true, and some of the legends are just that, old wives tales.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
The Giving Tree. Many of my favorite picture books are repetitive.
ReplyDeleteMy Blog
Repetition can be powerful - if used sparingly and in the "right" places. Your examples were perfect.
ReplyDeleteNew follower and fellow crusader! Nice to meet you!
I love your examples of repitition!! They're sublime!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not that confident or good a writer to be able to pull repetition off so I never use (I hope!!) this or at least try not to! Take care
x
I don't think I've used that trick...
ReplyDeleteGreat post Clarissa! I use repetition from time to time too. Done well it can be very effective.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed being able to re read the famous 'I have a dream' speech. Thanks.
I do enjoy using repetitive phrases occasionally. It's almost like writing a poem. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love this device (in moderation). In my MG novel I have the MC refer to 'little brothers' starting from negative ways to a final positive approach throughout the novel.
ReplyDeletePS - Lenny's comment is so cute :)
ReplyDeleteI do like using it when I'm making a point, but I try to be judicious about it.
ReplyDeleteRepetition can be used subtly and effectively. Tell them what is going to happen. tell them what is happening, then tell them what happened.
ReplyDeleteA writer can use suspense to lead up to an event. the reader just knows something bad is going to happen to Aunt Josephine. Then it happens. Then there is a recap from the investigating police detective.
So repetition, if written properly, can be most effective.
I like that you tied the opening of the chapter to the ending of the chapter (or vice versa?). I think this is a great post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I use repetition to evoke a certain feeling. When it's done right, repetition enhances the reading experience.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, C, and I've used repetition in writing only to have critters zing it. I was like, "it's supposed to repeat."
ReplyDeleteI ultimately took it out. couldn't decide if I was right or they were (i.e., it wasn't translating properly)! :D LOL! <3
I do love repetition when it's done right. Great post!
ReplyDeleteRepetition is something that I like because of the effect it can create. It is a good device to use in non-fiction, I think. I don't recall many fiction books that I love doing using it.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the powerful devices for poetry and stories. The examples you use here are perfect to show hos effective this is.
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