Is it Good or Bad to Repeat Words?

77 Bench & Bar 23, January 2013

1 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2013

See all articles by Judith D. Fischer

Judith D. Fischer

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Date Written: 2013

Abstract

This paper discusses elegant variation, in which a writer changes terminology in the mistaken belief that words should not be repeated. The article acknowledges that it is sometimes best to change monotonously repeated background words. However, changing key terminology can be confusing in legal writing, where precision and clarity are essential. And occasional repetition for rhetorical impact can strengthen legal writing.

Keywords: Legal writing, repeating words, elegant variation, anadiplosis, epistrophe, antanaclasis, rhetorical device

Suggested Citation

Fischer, Judith D., Is it Good or Bad to Repeat Words? (2013). 77 Bench & Bar 23, January 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2211672

Judith D. Fischer (Contact Author)

University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law ( email )

Wilson W. Wyatt Hall
Louisville, KY 40292
United States

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