Element of Eloquence: Epizeuxis
Epizeuxis is a rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated in immediate succession, typically with no other words in between, for emphasis or to convey strong emotion.
Why a writer would use it
A writer might use epizeuxis to emphasize a particular point, to show intense feeling, or to make a memorable statement that stands out in the text.
It can also help to convey the urgency or importance of an idea, making it resonate more deeply with the audience.
Use-case
In a speech persuading people to act against climate change, a speaker might say: "Now is the time to act. Act, act before it's too late!"
A couple more examples:
"No, no, no! I will not go!"
This example shows a character's adamant refusal, reinforcing their strong emotional response to a situation."Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide wide sea!"
This line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" uses epizeuxis to emphasize the mariner’s feeling of complete isolation.