Say It Again, Will: Anaphora

Send us Fan MailGEORGE:Master Shakespeare, are you with us?SHAKESPEARE (warm, amused):Indeed, sir. I am ever at your elbow—though I confess, your age is wondrous. In mine own day, men grew old chiefly by avoiding theaters.GEORGE:Ha! We’ll take the win where we can.All right—anaphora. I’m going to pronounce it slowly so I don’t embarrass myself: a-NA-pho-ra.SHAKESPEARE:A fair stumbling, sweetly done. And what think you it means?GEORGE:Here’s my best “general adult” definition: anaphora is when you repeat the same word or phrase at the beginning of a line or sentence—and that repetition builds rhythm, emphasis, and emotional force.SHAKESPEARE:Aye. Like a drumbeat that gathers soldiers—or gathers tears.Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.