This week's grammar tip is not strictly a grammar tip.  Rather, it details a strategy, called anaphora, for effective writing. Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. Most often writers use this form of repetition for its dramatic effect in speech or writing. In fact, the most common examples of anaphora can be found in well-known speeches. While the anaphora’s effectiveness may depend on its delivery in a speaking situation, remember that speeches are drafted in writing. Written anaphora has the same effects as spoken anaphora.

These are only two of the eight uses of “I have a dream” to begin successive sentences in Martin Luther King’s speech. Later, he uses “Let freedom ring”  in succession to begin each in a set of seven sentences.

Because of their primary placement and consistent wording, anaphoric words or phrases can ensure that a certain idea is driven into the reader’s head, that a set of ideas are clearly tied together, or that a passage sounds more dramatic or poetic.

Remember, anaphora can also be as simple as one word repeated at the beginning of a set of phrases or clauses.

Ex. He opened the door. He heard a whisper. He looked around. He saw nothing: that frightened him most.

It can also be effective for listing, or writing in which you want to emphasize a subject (noun), an action (verb), or really, any word you’d like to stress. This strategy can be effective when you are trying to make a point or to make sure a reader focuses on or remembers a particular word or phrase. In this case, the that at the beginning of the last sentence is in sharp contrast to the pattern of he starters in earlier sentences and provides strong emphasis to the meaning of "that frightened him most."

Ex.

Tips for Effective Research Papers

• Good research papers include a clear thesis statement.

• Good research papers use a topic sentence in every body paragraph.

• Good research papers make sure every sentence supports each paragraph’s topic sentence and the paper’s thesis.

To enhance the example of anaphora taken from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech earlier, you can read the entire speech for the uses mentioned in the previous discussion plus any more you may find at http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html.

Test your knowledge of how to use anaphora by reconstructing the following paragraph using this technique of repetition in a hypothetical essay.

Paragraph: Morality is one of the most difficult topics to discuss and define. It can be defined as absolute or individual, depending on a person’s view. Some even say it is situational, varying according to the circumstances or consequences. But most people do agree on a few points. First, there is some system of ethics to which humans should adhere. Second, all humans possess the choice to act morally or immorally. Even at that, some may act morally in some situations, immorally in others. It is only by one’s habits that others define them as moral or immoral. Ultimately, it seems that morality is something we can only strive for, but never perfectly embody.

Answers

(Answers will vary depending on the desired effect, the writing situation, and the writer’s style.)

Revision: Morality is one of the most difficult topics to discuss and define. It can be defined as absolute. It can be individual, depending on a person’s view. It can be situational, varying according to the circumstances or consequences. But most people do agree on a few points. Most agree that there is some system of ethics to which humans should adhere. Most agree that all humans possess the choice to act morally or immorally. Even at that, some may act morally in some situations, immorally in others. It is only by one’s habits that others define them as moral or immoral. Ultimately, it seems that morality is something we can only strive for, but never perfectly embody.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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