Repetition

The English language largely frowns on repetition. Because we have so many synonymous words and phrases (not to mention pronouns), we hate saying the same word over and over again. Notice how I just said "saying the same word over and over again" instead of repeating the word "repetition".

This is not necessarily a bad thing. It keeps our prose spicy and interesting. It makes a good writer very aware of the breadth of our language. It acts as another tool to keep the reader from being bored.

Sometimes, though, it can be frustrating. Especially in journalism where you may be talking about one subject for an entire article. Half the article is just creative ways to rename the same thing.

However, repetition is not steadfastly hated, just mostly hated. Sometimes repetition is a good thing. The repetition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have A Dream speech is a famous example of the power it can hold. The repetition in structure (e.g. "I do not, have not, and will not. . .") can add great emphasis to a particular point. The repetition of the word 'repetition' in this sentence creates a flow that leads the reader wherever the flow takes them.

Repetition is a powerful force. When used deftly, it empowers your work. When used poorly, it destroys your work. Experiment with it. Learn and understand it. See how others use it and learn from the good examples. Learn from the bad examples, too.