What is the literary technique that involves the deliberate use of the same word or phrase to create an effect?

Repetition is a literary technique that involves the deliberate use of the same word or phrase multiple times to emphasize a particular idea, theme, or emotion. This technique can create a rhythmic effect in poetry or prose, and it helps to reinforce the message or significance of what is being expressed. By repeating specific words or phrases, writers can draw the audience’s attention to key concepts or emotions, enhancing the impact of their writing.

In contrast, alliteration focuses on the repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words, which creates a musical quality, but it does not rely on the repetition of the same word or phrase. Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity, contributing to the overall sound and flow of a text without using the same word. Metonymy is a figure of speech where one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, rather than repeating the same word.

Understanding repetition enables readers to appreciate how authors use this technique to highlight critical themes and enhance the emotional resonance of their work.