Language Agenda: Stylistic repetition as a tool of emphasis 

Introduction

And who says repetition is, at all times, wrong in Creative Writing and Public Speaking? Are you confused? Please, don't be! In some contexts, repetition serves as a rhetorical device of emphasis to convince readers or listeners. This way, repetition is constructed in a manner that avoids ambiguity, verbosity, and complexity. Call it Stylistic Repetition, and you are right.

Illustration

To maximize comprehension, let us consider the following illustrative text:

● Currently, Ghana has been thrown into a state of electoral GRIEVANCES. Indeed, GRIEVANCES are inevitable in democratic elections. Therefore, what matters is not the quantity of the GRIEVANCES, but the quality of solution to the GRIEVANCES.

Contrast

To appreciate the rhetorical weight of the above text, let us compare it to the following contrasting text in which pronouns replace the repetitive word "GRIEVANCES":

● Currently, Ghana has been thrown into a state of electoral GRIEVANCES. Indeed, THEY are inevitable in democratic elections. Therefore, what matters is not THEIR quantity, but the quality of solution to THEM.

Observation

Obviously, the original text - with the Stylistic Repetition - is more forceful, more emphatic, more convincing, more comprehensible than the contrasting text. Contrarily, the contrasting text appears more boring and unconvincing.

Conclusion

Dear reader, irrespective of our political affiliations, we have a collective civic responsibility to ensure the integrity of the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections. However, in our pursuit of the true reflection of the will of the PEOPLE, we have a moral and legal duty to save the the life of the PEOPLE, the health of the PEOPLE, and the unity of the PEOPLE. Let us struggle to enjoy in peace not to suffer in pieces!!!

Dedication

This discourse is dedicated to His Eminence the National Chief Imam, Shaikh Dr. Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, who is a synonym of peace.

Allah is the Best Linguist.