WORDS: English class was a long time ago for us. It’s difficult to remember the names for different tenses, parts of speech, ways words can be used, rhetorical devices and the like.

Never in our studies did we learn about epizeuxis and epanalepsis. We’ve used them, as have most of us, but can’t remember learning what they were called.

Epizeuxis is, according to the internet, “a rhetorical device involving the immediate, consecutive repetition of a word or phrase for intense emphasis, emotion, or dramatic effect. Originating from the Greek for ‘fastening together,’ it features no words in between the repetitions. Examples include ‘Never, never, never, never, never!’ (King Lear) and ‘Words, words, words’ (Hamlet).

Other examples might include “Happy, happy, happy birthday” or “Wait, wait, wait, I have an idea.”

It is used for feelings of excitement, fear, passion, or despair.

The website Manner of Speaking says to use epizeuxis sparingly in a speech, because it diminishes in effectiveness with repeated use.

Epanalepsis is “a rhetorical figure of speech where the beginning of a clause or sentence is repeated at the end of that same clause or sentence, with words in between. It is used to emphasize key points, create a sense of completion, and add rhythm or structure to writing or speech by ‘bookending’ the thought.”

“The king is dead, long live the king.” — Traditional proclamation

“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.” — President John F. Kennedy

“A minimum wage that is not a livable wage can never be a minimum wage.” — Ralph Nader

“Control, control, you must learn control.” — Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

Epanalepsis is a device used by public speakers. Repetition of the words draws attention to them.