In my last post, I defined anaphora as “repetition at the start of a sentence” and epiphora as “repetition at the end of a sentence”. I then went on to say:
“The definitions aren’t precise, but they’ll serve the purpose of this post.”
I was wrong … the definitions did not serve the purpose of the post. I discovered this when Kerry sent me the following question:
“Your examples of epiphora are at the start of the sentences – “So don’t tell us…” – in your definition were you meaning paragraphs and not sentences?”
Since I missed the mark last time, I’m going to give a more complete definition of both rhetorical devices.
Anaphora – the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of more than one sentence, paragraph or section of speech
Epiphora – the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of more than one sentence, paragraph or section of a speech.
Since I gave examples of anaphora being used at the start of sentences and paragraphs in the last post, I won’t do it again here. What I will do is give you more examples of epiphora.
Here’s a section from Jesse Jackson’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in July of 1988.
“But whether white, black or brown, the hungry baby’s belly turned inside out is the same color. Call it pain. Call is hurt. Call it agony. Most poor people are not on welfare.
Some of them are illiterate and can’t read the want-ad sections. And when they can, they can’t find a job that matches their address. They work hard every day, I know. I’m one of them.
I know they work. I’m a witness. They catch the early bus. They work every day. They raise other people’s children. They work every day. They clean the streets. They work every day. They drive vans with cabs. They work every day. They change the beds you slept in those hotels last night and can’t get a union contract. They work every day.”
As you can see, “They work every day.” is a complete sentence. But its placement at the end of repeated sections of speech qualifies it as epiphora.
In Barack Obama’s “concession” speech in New Hampshire, he used epiphora AND anaphora with the catch phrase “Yes we can.” Notice how he begins with epiphora, makes the transition to anaphora and them ends with epiphora.
“But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.
Yes we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can.
And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign South and West; as we learn that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America’s story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea – Yes. We. Can.
Here’s one more example epiphora from the “I have a dream” speech. Notice the repetition is just one word.
“With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
When it comes down to it, I try not to be too anal about using the exact terms. So long as you use them effectively in your speech, I doubt anyone will ask you about your use of rhetorical devices during the Q&A. Mind you, I have been wrong before 
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That was great – the example from Obama’s speech that you give here also helps underline how they can be combined for impact. I think the longer piece before his last “Yes. We. Can.” also helped to refresh it for that last refrain and make it stick. Without that gap the repetition may have become a drone and not stuck so well, which the Jesse Jackson one does for me.
Thanks.
Glad I was able to clear that up
Thanks for the comment.