Repetition - AP® English Definition

Repetition is when a word, phrase, or idea is used more than once to make it stand out. In AP English, students learn that repetition is a powerful rhetorical device used to emphasise key points and make writing more persuasive or memorable.

Writers use repetition to create rhythm, build intensity, and help the audience remember important ideas. It can also highlight the writer’s emotion or signal that something is especially significant in a speech or text.

Example of repetition in an AP English text

In 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' by Martin Luther King Jr., King uses repetition in the phrase:

“When you have seen... When you have seen... When you have seen...”

This repeated structure builds emotional intensity and helps the reader feel the weight of racial injustice. It strengthens his argument by showing the repeated and painful experiences of Black Americans.