Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

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What is the rhetorical device of anaphora?

  1. The repetition of the last word in a clause

  2. The use of metaphors to create vivid imagery

  3. The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

  4. The ending of a verse with a strong conclusion

The correct answer is: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Anaphora is identified by the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. This rhetorical device serves to emphasize a point and can create a rhythmic quality in writing or speech, drawing attention to the key themes or ideas being expressed. Writers and speakers often utilize anaphora to evoke emotions, reinforce their arguments, or add a poetic element to their language. For example, in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, the repeated phrase "I have a dream" at the beginning of several sentences powerfully underscores his vision for equality and justice. The other options address different literary devices, but they do not pertain to the specific definition of anaphora.

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