Anaphora: GCSE English Definition

What is Anaphora?

In GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language, anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of sentences, phrases or clauses. This kind of repetition can be a powerfully effective way of making your writing more emphatic or memorable. 

Why do writers use anaphora?

Anaphora is commonly used in poetry, speeches and persuasive writing (such as newspaper articles intended to argue a point) because it gives writing a sense of rhythm and structure by emphasising the repeated words or phrases. This can make the writer’s words more memorable or contribute to the mood of the piece. 

Anaphora should not be confused with similar techniques such as polysyndeton (the repetition of connectives across a piece of writing) or epistrophe (the repetition of words or phrases at the end of successive clauses). 

Examples of anaphora

“...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” — Winston Churchill, 1940

In this famous use of anaphora, Churchill emphasises the combined strength, courage and conviction of the British people. By varying the wording in the final phrase, “we shall never surrender”, Churchill makes this important message stand out.

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison

us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” — Shylock, Act 3, Scene 1, The Merchant of Venice

In Shylock’s speech, Shakespeare uses the anaphora of “If you…” and “do we…” to encourage the audience to recognise his humanity, with the rhythmic repetition emphasising the repeated attacks that his people have suffered. 

Revision resources to ace your exams

For study guides on how to analyse anaphora in literary texts, and how best to include anaphora in your own creative writing, check out our detailed revision notes. All our notes are course-specific, so everything you’ll need to ace your exams is in one place!

GCSE English Literature Revision Notes 

GCSE English Language Revision Notes

For a comprehensive glossary covering all the best literary techniques you could ever need, check out our list of top literary devices, complete with student-friendly definitions.

Sources  

The International Churchill Society — We Shall Fight Them on the Beaches