Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

What does epanalepsis encapsulate in its definition?

1. The repetition of words at the start of phrases

2. The repetition of words at both the beginning and end of a clause

3. The repetition of similar sounds in stressed syllables

4. The reverse structure of paired clauses

The correct answer is: The repetition of words at both the beginning and end of a clause

Epanalepsis is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at both the beginning and the end of a clause or sentence. This technique serves to emphasize the idea contained within the repeated phrase, creating a powerful sense of closure or unity in the statement. By framing a thought with the same phrase at both ends, it draws attention to the significance of that phrase and often enhances the emotional impact of the message being conveyed. The other options refer to different rhetorical devices and do not capture the essence of epanalepsis. The repetition of words at the start of phrases describes anaphora, while the repetition of similar sounds in stressed syllables pertains to assonance or alliteration. The reverse structure of paired clauses is indicative of chiasmus. Each of these techniques serves its own distinct purpose in writing and rhetoric, but they are not synonymous with epanalepsis.