MLK uses the Anaphora Effect.
You’re probably asking, “What’s the Anaphora Effect?”
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s American federal holiday marking his birthday, celebrated yesterday, I want to blog about one of the genius components of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
He uses the Anaphora Effect exquisitely.
Definition of Anaphora: It’s the repetition of words at the start of successive clauses, phrases or sentences.
Why use Anaphora phrases? To create a rhythm, heighten emotion, and add emphasis to make the message easier to remember.
In MLK’s famous speech:
- “Now is the time” is repeated three times in the sixth paragraph.
- “One hundred years later”, “We can never be satisfied”, “With this faith”, “Let freedom ring”, and “free at last” are also repeated.
- Of course, the most widely cited example of anaphora is found in the often quoted phrase “I have a dream”, which is repeated eight times as King paints a picture of an integrated and unified America.
You might have learned in your English writing classes to not repeat words too often in written form. It depends. Using a catchy phrase can enhance your email or Chairman’s Report.
Your Speak For Yourself® challenge: use the Anaphora Effect digitally, informally and in formal presentations to create more buy-in.
Photo ©: 123RF Stock Photo
© Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.
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Karen Cortell Reisman, MS, Executive Communication Author & Speaker