What is Anaphora?

Anaphora Explained

Anaphora is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It is often used to create emphasis or to add rhythm to a piece of writing.

For example, in Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, he begins each sentence with the now-iconic phrase "Four score and seven years ago". The impact of this repetition through the speech helps to both emphasise his point, and to bring about a sense of cohesion and consistency to his speech.

Similarly, the oft-repeated translation of Caesar's "veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered") uses the word "I" three times, at the beginning of each clause. As with the Gettysburg Address, this repetition creates emphasis and helps to unify the sentence.

Etymology of Anaphora

The word anaphora comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀναφορά (anaphorá, “a carrying back”), from ἀνά (aná, “up”) + φέρω (phérō, “I carry”).

Examples of Anaphora

Here are some examples of anaphora:

• "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address
• "To be or not to be, that is the question." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet
• "Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you." - Nursery rhyme

Examples of Anaphora in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of anaphora in pop culture:

• The song "We Will Rock You" by Queen uses anaphora in the line "We will, we will rock you."
• The movie "The Lion King" utilises anaphora in the line "Circle of life, circle of death."
• The iconic Christmas song "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" uses anaphora in its opening: "You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout…"

• The song "Every Breath You Take" by The Police employs anaphora in the chorus: "Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take, I'll be watching you "

Examples of Anaphora in Literature

Here are some examples of anaphora in literature:

• London, by William Blake: "In every cry of every Man/ In every infant's cry of fear/ In every voice, in every ban,/ The mind-forg'd manacles I hear"
• A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Examples of Anaphora in Speeches

• Winston Churchill's famous "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech makes extensive use of anaphora to inspire his audience: 

  • “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”

• Dr Marin. Luther King's renowned "I Have A Dream" speech also utilises anaphora, starting eight consecutive sentences with the words "I have a dream", and starting two clauses with the phrase "sweltering with the heat of".
  • "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

    I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; that one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be engulfed, every hill shall be exalted and every mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."