What is the rhetorical device known as epistrophe, and how is it characterized?

Epistrophe is a rhetorical device characterized by the repetition of the same word or words at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. It is a technique used to create emphasis and a memorable rhythm in speech or writing. The word itself comes from the Greek word "epistrophē," meaning "return."

Besides epistrophe, what other terms are used to describe the repetition of words at the end of successive phrases or clauses?

The repetition of words at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences, known as epistrophe, is also occasionally referred to as epiphora or antistrophe. These terms all denote the same rhetorical structure.

How does the rhetorical device of epistrophe function in relation to anaphora?

Epistrophe functions as the counterpart to anaphora, another rhetorical device. While anaphora involves repetition at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences, epistrophe achieves emphasis through repetition at the end of these grammatical units.

Why is epistrophe considered an extremely emphatic rhetorical device?

Epistrophe is considered an extremely emphatic device because it places significant stress and attention on the final word or words of each repeated phrase, clause, or sentence. This strategic placement draws the listener's or reader's focus to the repeated element, thereby amplifying its importance and impact.

What is the etymological origin of the term 'epistrophe'?

The term 'epistrophe' originates from the Greek word 'epistrophē' (ἐπιστροφή), which translates to 'return.' This etymology reflects the nature of the device, where a word or phrase 'returns' at the end of successive clauses.

According to the text, what specific meaning did Plato ascribe to 'epistrophe' in the context of education?

In the context of philosophical education, Plato coined the term 'epistrophe' to represent a specific goal. While the text doesn't elaborate on Plato's precise definition, it states that 'epistrophe' was a word he used as an objective for philosophical learning.

How was the term 'epistrophe' adopted and utilized by early Christians?

Early Christians adopted the term 'epistrophe,' originally coined by Plato, to signify conversion. It represented the turning or returning of an individual towards the Christian faith.

What is the repeated phrase in the example quote attributed to Thomas Wilson?

In the quote attributed to Thomas Wilson, the phrase 'is subdued' is repeated at the end of successive clauses. This repetition emphasizes the loss of reason, honesty, and goodwill when affections are in control.

In Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, what phrase is repeated to emphasize the nature of the government?

In Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the phrase 'the people' is repeated three times at the end of successive prepositional phrases ('of the people, by the people, for the people') to powerfully underscore the concept of government by and for the citizenry.

Which passage from the Bible, as cited in the text, employs epistrophe?

The Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, specifically chapter 13, verse 11 (in the King James Translation), employs epistrophe. The repeated phrase is 'as a child,' used in clauses describing childhood ways of speaking, understanding, and thinking.

What phrase is repeated in the quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson concerning what lies within us?

The quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson uses the phrase 'lies within us' at the end of a clause, contrasting it with what lies behind and before us. The full repeated structure is 'what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.'

In Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest,' what phrase is repeated to signify blessings?

In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' the phrase 'is on you' is repeated at the end of lines invoking blessings from Juno and Ceres. For example, 'Juno sings her blessings on you' and 'Ceres' blessing so is on you.'

How does Barack Obama's speech excerpt demonstrate the use of both epistrophe and anaphora?

Barack Obama's speech excerpt effectively uses both epistrophe and anaphora. The phrase 'Yes we can' is repeated at the end of several clauses (epistrophe), creating a powerful call to action. In the latter part of the excerpt, 'Yes we can' is also used at the beginning of successive clauses, demonstrating anaphora.

What specific phrase is repeated at the end of clauses in the initial part of the Barack Obama speech excerpt provided?

In the initial part of the Barack Obama speech excerpt, the phrase 'Yes we can' is repeated at the end of clauses that describe historical struggles and aspirations, such as those of slaves, abolitionists, immigrants, and workers.

What phrase is repeated at the beginning of clauses in the latter part of the Barack Obama speech excerpt?

In the latter part of the Barack Obama speech excerpt, the phrase 'Yes we can' is repeated at the beginning of clauses, signaling a transition to a more direct and forward-looking affirmation of possibilities for justice, equality, opportunity, and healing.

What is the primary definition of epistrophe as a figure of speech?

Epistrophe is defined as a figure of speech where the same word or words are repeated at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. This repetition serves to emphasize the repeated element and create a distinct rhetorical effect.

What is anaphora, as mentioned in the context of epistrophe?

Anaphora is a rhetorical device that is the counterpart to epistrophe. It involves the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences, creating emphasis through initial placement rather than final placement.

What is antimetabole, as listed in the 'See also' section?

Antimetabole is listed as a related figure of speech in the 'See also' section. While not defined in the text, it typically involves the repetition of words in successive clauses, but in reverse grammatical order.

What is anthimeria, as listed in the 'See also' section?

Anthimeria is listed as a related figure of speech in the 'See also' section. The provided text does not offer a definition for anthimeria.

What is a figure of speech, in the context of epistrophe?

A figure of speech is a word or phrase used for effect, or to create a more vivid or impactful meaning than the literal interpretation. Epistrophe is identified as one such figure of speech, used for emphasis.

What is 'Epistrophy (composition)' mentioned in the 'See also' section?

'Epistrophy (composition)' refers to a jazz standard, which is a well-known musical piece that serves as a basis for improvisation and performance within the jazz genre. It is distinct from the rhetorical term 'epistrophe'.

Who composed the jazz standard 'Epistrophy (composition)'?

The jazz standard 'Epistrophy (composition)' was composed by Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke.

In what year was the jazz standard 'Epistrophy (composition)' composed?

The jazz standard 'Epistrophy (composition)' was composed in 1941.

What type of content is found in the 'External links' section of the article?

The 'External links' section provides links to external resources related to epistrophe. These include a link to audio illustrations of the rhetorical device and academic references.

What specific resource is available for audio illustrations of epistrophe?

The 'External links' section provides a link to 'Audio illustrations of epistrophe' available on americanrhetoric.com.

What is the title of the book reviewed in the external links section, and who is its author?

The external links section includes a review of a book titled 'The Mutilating God: Authorship and Authority in the Narrative of Conversion,' authored by Eric J. Ziolkowski.

What is the journal and publication year for the review of 'The Mutilating God'?

The review of 'The Mutilating God' was published in the journal 'Philosophy and Literature' in 1994.

What DOI is associated with the review of Eric J. Ziolkowski's book?

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) associated with the review of Eric J. Ziolkowski's book is 10.1353/phl.1994.0036.

What S2CID identifier is linked to the review of 'The Mutilating God'?

The Semantic Scholar Corpus ID (S2CID) linked to the review of 'The Mutilating God' is 144711945.

What is the title of the book by Derek Thompson mentioned in the references?

The title of the book by Derek Thompson mentioned in the references is 'Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction'.

What is the publication date for Derek Thompson's book 'Hit Makers'?

Derek Thompson's book 'Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction' was published on February 7, 2017.

What is the ISBN for Derek Thompson's book 'Hit Makers'?

The ISBN for Derek Thompson's book 'Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction' is 978-1-101-98034-7.

What is the title of the book by Gerald Peters mentioned in the references?

The title of the book by Gerald Peters mentioned in the references is 'The Mutilating God: Authorship and Authority in the Narrative of Conversion'.

What is the ISBN for Gerald Peters' book 'The Mutilating God'?

The ISBN for Gerald Peters' book 'The Mutilating God: Authorship and Authority in the Narrative of Conversion' is 9780870238918.

What is the title of the book by George Roberts mentioned in the references, and what is its publication year?

The book by George Roberts mentioned in the references is titled 'A catechism of rhetoric,' and it was published in 1820.

What is the page number cited for George Roberts' 'A catechism of rhetoric'?

The citation for George Roberts' 'A catechism of rhetoric' references page 55.

What is the primary purpose of the 'See also' section in the article?

The 'See also' section lists related concepts, terms, and topics that may be of interest to the reader, providing further avenues for exploration beyond the main subject of epistrophe.

How does the repetition in epistrophe contribute to its effectiveness as a rhetorical tool?

The repetition inherent in epistrophe creates emphasis by drawing attention to the repeated word or phrase. This technique can reinforce a message, create a sense of rhythm or cadence, and make the statement more memorable for the audience.

What does the hatnote at the beginning of the article clarify regarding potential confusion with other terms?

The hatnote at the beginning of the article clarifies that 'Epistrophe' should not be confused with 'apostrophe' (another figure of speech) or 'Epistrophy' (which could refer to a disambiguation page or potentially the jazz standard mentioned later).

What distinction is made in a hatnote regarding the article's subject matter?

A hatnote specifies that the article is about the rhetorical terminology of epistrophe and distinguishes it from 'Epistrophe (fly),' which is a genus of hoverflies.

What is the significance of the phrase 'return' in relation to the Greek origin of 'epistrophe'?

The Greek word 'epistrophē,' meaning 'return,' is significant because the rhetorical device of epistrophe involves the 'return' of a specific word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, mirroring the literal meaning of its origin.

How does the structure of epistrophe differ from that of anaphora?

The fundamental difference lies in the placement of repetition. Anaphora repeats words at the *beginning* of successive clauses or sentences, while epistrophe repeats words at the *end* of successive clauses or sentences.

What does the presence of a 'No footnotes' notice suggest about the article's sourcing?

The 'No footnotes' notice, accompanied by a red question mark icon, indicates that the article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources are unclear because it lacks inline citations. This suggests a need for improvement in citation practices.

What specific examples of epistrophe are provided from historical speeches?

The article provides examples of epistrophe from historical speeches, including Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address ('the people') and Lyndon B. Johnson's remarks ('problem').

What biblical text is used as an example of epistrophe?

The Apostle Paul's writings in the Bible, specifically 1 Corinthians 13:11 (King James Translation), are used as an example of epistrophe, with the repetition of 'as a child'.

What literary work is cited as an example of epistrophe?

William Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest' is cited as an example of epistrophe, with repeated phrases related to blessings.

What modern political speech is used to illustrate both epistrophe and anaphora?

A speech by Barack Obama is used to illustrate how both epistrophe and anaphora can be employed, particularly with the repeated phrase 'Yes we can'.

What does the Navbox at the end of the article categorize?

The Navbox at the end of the article categorizes various 'Figures of speech,' dividing them into 'Schemes' (structural devices) and 'Tropes' (devices involving meaning change), with epistrophe listed under Schemes.

Under which main category of figures of speech is epistrophe listed in the Navbox?

In the Navbox, epistrophe is listed under the category of 'Schemes,' which are figures of speech related to the arrangement and structure of words.

What other rhetorical schemes are listed alongside epistrophe in the Navbox?

Alongside epistrophe, other rhetorical schemes listed in the Navbox include Alliteration, Anadiplosis, Anaphora, Antimetabole, Antithesis, Aposiopesis, Assonance, Asyndeton, Chiasmus, Climax, Consonance, Epanadiplosis, Epiphrase, Epizeuxis, Hendiadys, Homeoteleuton, Hypallage, Hyperbaton, Hysteron proteron, Isocolon, Parallelism, Polyptoton, Polysyndeton, Spoonerism, Symploce, Tmesis, and Zeugma.

Epistrophe Wiki: Epistrophe Unveiled: The Art of Rhythmic Emphasis

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Definition

Rhetorical Emphasis

Epistrophe, also known as epiphora, is a rhetorical device characterized by the repetition of the same word or phrase at the conclusion of successive clauses, sentences, or phrases. This technique is instrumental in creating a profound sense of emphasis, as it draws the listener's or reader's attention to the repeated element, thereby amplifying its significance within the discourse.

The Counterpart to Anaphora

Epistrophe functions as the direct counterpart to anaphora, which involves repetition at the beginning of clauses. While anaphora builds momentum and emphasis from the outset, epistrophe achieves its impact through a concluding resonance. This structural opposition allows for sophisticated rhetorical patterns and contrasts in persuasive or poetic language.

The Power of Finality

The strategic placement of repeated words at the end of syntactic units imbues them with a sense of finality and declarative power. This technique is particularly effective in speeches and literature where the goal is to leave a lasting impression on the audience, reinforcing a key idea or emotion through rhythmic and semantic reinforcement.

Structural Significance

Repetition at the End

The core mechanism of epistrophe is the identical repetition of a word or group of words at the close of consecutive grammatical units. This creates a distinct rhythmic pattern and a powerful echo effect, ensuring the repeated element is memorable and impactful.

Cognitive Impact

From a cognitive perspective, the repetition inherent in epistrophe aids memory and comprehension. By anchoring key concepts at the end of phrases, it facilitates recall and reinforces the central message, making the communication more persuasive and enduring.

Historical Usage

This rhetorical figure has been employed across various forms of discourse, from ancient philosophical texts and religious scriptures to modern political oratory and literary works. Its enduring presence underscores its effectiveness as a tool for rhetorical mastery.

Platonic Epistrophe

Philosophical Goal

In Platonic philosophy, epistrophe refers to a specific goal of philosophical education. It signifies a turning or conversion, not merely of the mind, but of the entire soul towards the ultimate truth or the Good. This concept implies a profound redirection of one's fundamental orientation.

Early Christian Interpretation

Early Christian thinkers adopted the term epistrophe to describe the process of conversion—the turning of the soul towards God. This usage highlights the spiritual and existential dimension of the concept, emphasizing a fundamental shift in belief and allegiance.

Illustrative Examples

Thomas Wilson

In his treatise on rhetoric, Thomas Wilson employed epistrophe to underscore the subjugation of reason and virtue:

Where affections bear rule, their reason is subdued, honesty is subdued, good will is subdued, and all things else that withstand evil, for ever are subdued.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln masterfully utilized epistrophe in his Gettysburg Address to define the essence of American democracy:

...this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, uses epistrophe to illustrate the transition from childhood to adulthood:

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson applied epistrophe to articulate a unified national identity:

There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson employed epistrophe to highlight the power residing within individuals:

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare utilized epistrophe in The Tempest to convey blessings and prosperity:

Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings on you. ...
Scarcity and want shall shun you,
Ceres' blessing so is on you.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama's speech effectively blended epistrophe with anaphora to inspire action and hope:

The initial part of the speech evokes epistrophe, followed by anaphora. For instance, the repeated phrase "Yes we can" serves as a powerful concluding element in several statements, building momentum towards a collective call for change.

Related Concepts

Rhetorical Schemes

Epistrophe is classified as a rhetorical scheme, which involves the arrangement of words for stylistic effect. It is closely related to other figures that employ repetition and parallelism, such as anaphora (repetition at the beginning), symploce (combining anaphora and epistrophe), and antimetabole (repetition in reverse order).

Rhythm and Musicality

The deliberate repetition in epistrophe contributes significantly to the rhythm and musicality of language. This sonic quality enhances memorability and emotional impact, transforming discourse into a more engaging and artful form of communication.

Literary Devices

As a fundamental literary device, epistrophe is employed across genres to achieve specific effects, from poetic emphasis and narrative drive to persuasive argumentation. Its strategic use can elevate the power and artistry of written and spoken word.

External Resources

Audio Illustrations

Explore audio examples of epistrophe to better understand its auditory impact and application in spoken rhetoric.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Epistrophe Wikipedia page

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This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon established academic sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to scholarly standards, it is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content is based on the provided source material and may not encompass all nuances or interpretations of the subject matter.

This is not professional rhetorical or literary analysis advice. The information presented should not substitute for in-depth study, consultation with experts in rhetoric and linguistics, or critical engagement with primary texts. Users are encouraged to consult original sources and scholarly literature for comprehensive understanding.

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Epistrophe Unveiled

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Definition ℹ️

🗣️ Rhetorical Emphasis

⚖️ The Counterpart to Anaphora

💡 The Power of Finality

Structural Significance 🧩

🔄 Repetition at the End

🧠 Cognitive Impact

📜 Historical Usage

Platonic Epistrophe 🏛️

🎓 Philosophical Goal

✝️ Early Christian Interpretation

Illustrative Examples 📖

📜 Thomas Wilson

🇺🇸 Abraham Lincoln

📖 The Apostle Paul

🗣️ Lyndon B. Johnson

✨ Ralph Waldo Emerson

🎭 William Shakespeare

🇺🇸 Barack Obama

Related Concepts 🔗

↔️ Rhetorical Schemes

🎶 Rhythm and Musicality

📚 Literary Devices

External Resources 🌐

🎧 Audio Illustrations

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Disclaimer ⚠️

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Definition

Rhetorical Emphasis

The Counterpart to Anaphora

The Power of Finality

Structural Significance

Repetition at the End

Cognitive Impact

Historical Usage

Platonic Epistrophe

Philosophical Goal

Early Christian Interpretation

Illustrative Examples

Thomas Wilson

Abraham Lincoln

The Apostle Paul

Lyndon B. Johnson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

William Shakespeare

Barack Obama

Related Concepts

Rhetorical Schemes

Rhythm and Musicality

Literary Devices

External Resources

Audio Illustrations

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Academic Integrity and AI Generation