Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

Epistrophe focuses on what aspect of repetition?

1. Repetition at the beginning of successive phrases

2. Repetition at the end of successive phrases

3. Repetition of words derived from a common root

4. Repetition of phrases in reverse order

The correct answer is: Repetition at the end of successive phrases

Epistrophe is a rhetorical device that emphasizes repetition at the end of successive phrases or clauses. This technique creates a sense of rhythm and can enhance the emotional impact or persuasive force of a statement. By placing important concepts or ideas at the end of a sentence, epistrophe helps to reinforce the message, making it more memorable to the audience. This is particularly effective in speeches or literary works where the speaker or writer aims to leave a lasting impression. Other options, while valid forms of repetition in rhetoric, do not accurately define epistrophe. For instance, repetition at the beginning of phrases refers to anaphora; words derived from a common root focus on word families or variations; and phrases in reverse order describe antimetabole or chiasmus. Each of these devices serves distinct purposes in language, but they do not encapsulate the specific nature of epistrophe. Thus, the emphasis on the end of phrases is what clearly identifies this rhetorical strategy.