Example

“It hurts the individual, it hurts the community and it hurts the country as a whole.”

Definition

Repetition does not refer strictly to words that are repeated in a single sentence or even throughout an entire piece; it can also refer to the repetition of phrases or ideas.

Effect on reader

Generally repetition creates emphasis and is memorable for the reader. When a writer is focused on communicating a particular message or idea, returning to a particular phrase over and over again helps to keep it fresh in the reader’s mind throughout the piece. In the above example the repetition of “hurts” is used to emphasise the negativity of the action that is causing such widespread harm.