In this article we'll consider:
Repetition as structural device
Developing themes
Building emotional intensity
Enhancing characterization
Mood, tension and momentum
Crafting a memorable voice
Revealing subtext in dialogue
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Repetition often carries a bad reputation in fiction, conjuring images of lazy writing, redundancy and monotony. This comes from the fact that when we're writing, we often reach for the first words that come to mind, and inevitably this leads to overusing words and phrases we're most familiar with. This kind of repetition is weeded out during the editing stages, but the repetition we'll talk about in this article is the intentional kind.
In fiction writing, when used skilfully, repetition is a powerful literary device. It can serve to reinforce themes, deepen emotional resonance, and create rhythmic patterns that engage readers on a subconscious level, keeping them hooked.
So what are the ways repetition can be used purposefully, and how can you apply them in your fiction?
1. As a structural device
Repetition in structure can unify a narrative, linking disparate parts of a story into a cohesive whole. For instance, starting and ending a story with the same image or phrase creates a cyclical sense of closure that makes the journey feel complete; or, when placed intermittently throughout your narrative, repetitions can act as a guiding thread for readers, tentatively pulling together the many pieces of your story.
This technique works particularly well in novels with layered, non-linear timelines, as it's a subtle reminder of the core message or emotional tone.
Example: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald repeats the image of the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. This symbol, woven throughout the novel, reminds readers of Gatsby’s longing and unattainable dreams, and serves as a constant anchor in the story’s emotional landscape.
2. Develop themes through repetition
Similarly, recurring words, images or ideas can also underscore the story's thematic focus. By revisiting certain motifs, the writer reinforces their importance and invites readers to ponder their significance.
How it works:
Symbolic repetition: Objects or symbols (like a recurring flower, a mirror, or a song) gain weight through repetition, becoming metaphors for broader themes.
Verbal repetition: Dialogue or internal monologue that echoes words or phrases can highlight a character's emotional state or evolving perspective pertaining to the main themes.
Example: Colin Walsh's Kala is permeated with echoes, from the polaroid photographs as recurring motifs, to the repeated reference to an "other place"; which, combined with the circulating circumstances of the characters' lives as they shift from childhood to adulthood, gives the novel a compelling sense of ethereal, ungraspable mystery akin to the coming-of-age experience.
3. Build emotional intensity
Repetition can evoke powerful emotions by mirroring the obsessive or overwhelming nature of a character’s thoughts or experiences. It mimics the natural rhythm of heightened emotions, like grief, anger or desire.
Tips for effectiveness:
Use sparingly to avoid diluting its impact.
Vary the context or tone of the repeated elements to keep them dynamic.
Example: Towards the end of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood is recovering after a breakdown, suicide attempt and treatment. Leaving psychiatric care temporarily, she attends the funeral of a friend who's taken her own life; as she sits in the pew, Esther's existence poignantly thrums in her chest:
I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart.
I am, I am, I am.
4. Enhance characterization
Repetition can be used to help define a character's personality. After all, we all have our funny quirks and foibles, and your characters are no different. Repeated behaviours, phrases or thought patterns signal habits, obsessions or beliefs that can make your characters more vivid and believable.
How to use it:
Catchphrases, repeated thoughts, or verbal tics: For example, a character who constantly says “You know what I mean?” may come across as uncertain or insecure.
Ritualistic actions: Repeated gestures, like a character always smoothing their hair, might reveal nervousness or vanity.
Avoid overdoing it: Again, use sparingly. It's a tricky balance; you want enough repetition that it's recognizable as a personality trait, but not to the point where it becomes farcical or irritating.
Example: In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s repeated use of the phrase “phony” reflects his disillusionment with the adult world, reinforcing one of the novel’s central themes.
5. Mood, tension and momentum
Repetition in sentence structure or phrasing can reinforce the story's mood, foreshadow what's to come, or create a sense of urgency and suspense. For example, by repeating phrases or ideas in quick succession, writers can simulate a rising heartbeat or the claustrophobic feeling of time running out.
Example: In Shirley Jackson’s short story The Lottery, gradual repetition of details about the town's annual rite builds a creeping sense of dread that culminates in its shocking, violent conclusion.
6. Craft a memorable voice
Repetition in narration can establish a unique and compelling voice. When a narrator consistently returns to certain words, ideas or phrasings, it creates a pattern that defines their perspective.
How to experiment:
Use first-person narrators who fixate on particular events or memories, reinforcing their emotional attachment and/or baggage.
Employ stream-of-consciousness styles where repetition mirrors thought patterns.
Example: In Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley, Tom repeatedly convinces himself of his goodness - what he could do but hasn't; blames others for the immoral actions he's been "forced" into taking; and vividly imagines what people will be thinking or saying about him. All of which feeds into his self-serving denial of responsibility and delusional state of mind.
7. Reveal subtext in dialogue
Repetition in dialogue mimics natural speech, as people often repeat themselves when nervous, excited, or trying to emphasize a point. It also reveals the unspoken subtext of interpersonal dynamics, such as power struggles or emotional tension.
Example: In Peter Rushforth's A Dead Language, Ben Pinkerton imagines the conversation between two nosy busybodies who call to visit his sister Alice following her discovery of their father's dead body to suicide:
"She looked really strange. There was a sort of..."
"...a sort of - whatdoyoumacallit - strange atmosphere..."
"I would have not have liked to have been there on my own..."
"Just what I thought."
"She was lying there..."
"You know what she's like..."
"Lying there..."
"Just sort of lying there..."
Finally...
While repetition is a powerful tool, it’s most effective when it feels intentional and organic, rather than forced. Overusing repetition can lead to reader frustration or disengagement, so consider its purpose carefully: Is it to highlight an emotion? Sharpen character? Reinforce a theme? Build suspense?
Once you know its role in your story, you can use it to skilfully elevate your writing and enhance your characters, mood and themes.
Plath, S. (1963), The Bell Jar (2005 ed.), Faber and Faber Limited, London
Rushforth, P. (2007), A Dead Language, Simon and Schuster UK Ltd, London
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Tina Williams of Fiction Yogi is a copyeditor and proofreader who works with writers at all stages, giving them the tools to improve their manuscript and level up their writing so they can meet their publishing goals.
