Repetition

Repetition is like any other writing technique. Used well, it can help to create rhythm and emphasis, creating interesting and engaging prose and momentum that pulls the narrative forward. Used poorly, it can drag the prose down, making reading feel like a slog and trapping the reader in a feedback loop.

Repetition comes in many forms. There is the obvious repetition of a single word or phrase:

merrily, merrily, merrily

But there are many other forms. Repetition can occur with words that convey similar meanings:

whispered quietly

smooth gently

spoke aloud

Or it can occur in sentence construction:

She climbed up the mountain and then she climbed down the mountain.

Repetition can also occur in ideas, themes, actions and summaries. For most novels, the repetition of ideas and themes is essential to creating a cohesive narrative. These are the things that connect the beginning to the end. Their effectiveness is rooted in the variety of ways that the themes and ideas can be conveyed. A good writer makes the theme of the narrative very clear but hidden at the same time, preventing the feeling of the narrative moving in circles (unless, of course, that is the intent) or the feeling that the reader is being talked down or lectured to.

Using Repetition Well

Repetition is useful to provide a reader with reminders of important narrative information as needed. The repetition of a theme or a specific item can help tie a narrative together and make it feel cohesive. Callbacks to previous moments can be used for dramatic effect and keep important details top of mind as they become more important to the plot. This is especially useful when there is some kind of mystery involved, where some clues might not have been super obvious when they were first revealed.

There can also be stylistic reasons for repetition that add to the artistry of the writing. This can help with narrative flow and make the writing more literary and poetic. It can also be an effective device at the conclusion or a revelation, adding emphasis to a discovery.

It was him. He was the one who had lied. He was the one who had planted the evidence. He was the one who had betrayed her.

Good use of repetition is somewhat subjective and is situation dependent. The use of repetition that is incredibly effective in one situation might be ineffective or distracting in another. One of the most important factors in using repetition well is that it is intentional. There needs to be a conscious reason for its use with an intended effect. Accidental repetition will almost always negatively affect the reader's experience.

Using Repetition Poorly

When used incorrectly, repetition takes the reader out of the narrative and draws attention to the constructed nature of the writing. This works against the goal of fiction. It can make the reader think they are reading in circles or, in the worst cases, make the reader feel like the author doesn't trust them to make connections and understand the narrative. Most often, poor or distracting repetition is unintentional and can be difficult for a writer to identify in their own work, especially when the repetition is of themes and ideas.

There are many forms of poor repetition, but these are the main ones to look out for:

• Repetition of the same word or phrase within the same sentence/paragraph

  • This only applies to words that “catch” the reader. Small connecting words like a, the or and are usually fine, as are common speech tags like said.

    • Be wary of the repetition of long or unusual words or phrases. These are the most likely to stick out and feel out of place.

• Restating the same idea back to back

  • e.g. She shivered. It was cold.

• Repeating the same information in prose and dialogue

  • e.g. "I hate you!" she screamed, stomping her foot. She was angry.

• Giving the same information to a reader multiple times, especially close together

  • This includes, but is not limited to:

    • A speech tag that repeats what is already clear from the dialogue

    • An adverb that is already covered by the sense of the speech tag or dialogue: “Stop!” he screamed loudly.

    • Showing an action and then describing the action through dialogue

    • Giving a character dialogue that explains a scene the reader has already experienced. If it is important for the reader to know that another character received this information, a quick summary sentence such as “Sarah told her father about the dragon.” does the job without feeling repetitive.

    • Summarizing what a character is going to say/do and then having them say/do it.

      • Think of this as the plan vs the execution. In most cases, only one is needed in detail. The other can exist as a summary or a debrief.

    • Summarizing something that has just happened. There is a time and place for summary in a narrative. The primary uses are to pass on information that the reader already has to a character and to remind the reader of something important. What you want to avoid is using summary to repeat information that the reader already has and that doesn’t have a reason to be emphasized.

A Note on Summary

When talking about repetition, summary is a bit of an outlier as it is technically repetition but often prevents the feeling of repetition. While the use of summary allows the repetition of an event on the page, it does so in such a way that brings a new dimension to the event by highlighting the important moments. Summary is also an excellent way to make it clear that information has been passed between characters or that prior meetings or planning has taken place without making the reader experience the same event multiple times.

Quickly, she filled him in on the plan.

She relayed every gory detail of her encounter with Megan.

Conclusion

As with any tool in a writer's kit, repetition isn't something to be avoided. It has many uses that will enhance the narrative and make your writing better. The important thing is to be intentional with it. Why are you choosing to use repetition? What purpose is it serving? Is it enhancing the impact of the scene or is it dragging the pace down? If repetition isn't serving the story and the characters, then it is best cut. However, used well, it can help to make your narrative more economical and increase reader engagement.