Symploce
Combine anaphora and epistrophe - repeat words at both beginning and end of clauses.
What & why
Symploce locks a sentence at both ends, holding the opening and closing words steady while only the middle changes. That fixed frame makes the varying part stand out by contrast, and the double repetition drives a rhythm that builds with each line. Because the structure is so regular, audiences anticipate the pattern and feel its momentum, which is why symploce is a staple of call-and-response and speeches meant to rouse rather than merely inform.
Before & after
“We need to work harder and be more innovative to succeed.”
“When the market shifts, we adapt. When the rules change, we adapt. When the market shifts, we win. When the rules change, we win.”
When you’ll use it
Motivational speeches: 'We will fight for justice, we will stand for justice, we will prevail for justice'
Brand messaging campaigns: 'Quality drives us, innovation drives us, quality defines us, innovation defines us'
Crisis leadership communications: 'Today we face challenges, tomorrow we face challenges, today we overcome, tomorrow we overcome'
Pro tip
Sandwich your message: repeat key words at both the beginning and end of each statement.
Questions & answers
What is symploce in speaking?
When should I use symploce in presentations?
How is symploce different from anaphora or epistrophe alone?
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