Figures of Speech

Diacope

Repeat a word or phrase with intervening words for emphasis.

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What & why

What it is
A rhetorical figure where a word or phrase is repeated after an intervening word or phrase, creating emphasis through separation and return, often used to highlight key concepts or create memorable statements.
Why it works

Repeating a word after a short interruption lets the key term land twice, with the inserted words coloring it the second time around. The brief gap creates a small tension that the return resolves, which makes the phrase feel emphatic and complete. Its compact rhythm also makes it easy to say and to quote, which is why many slogans take this shape.

Before & after

These are fictional teaching examples, not accounts of real events.

Before

“Success, success is what we're after.”

After

“Success - real success - comes from consistent daily habits.”

When you’ll use it

Keynote speeches: "Innovation (true innovation) comes from thinking differently about familiar problems"

Change announcements: "This transformation (meaningful transformation) requires commitment from everyone"

Product launches: "Quality (uncompromising quality) defines everything we create and deliver"

Team meetings: "Communication (clear communication) prevents most project failures"

Pro tip

Sandwich important words around descriptive phrases.

Questions & answers

What is diacope in speaking?

Diacope repeats a word or phrase with a small number of intervening words, creating emphasis and rhythm. Examples include 'Bond, James Bond' or 'To be or not to be, that is the question' where 'be' is repeated with few words between.

When should I use diacope in business presentations?

Use diacope to emphasize critical points, create memorable phrases, or add rhythm to your delivery. It's effective for brand messaging, key values, or any time you want to make specific words or concepts stick with your audience through strategic repetition.

How is diacope different from other repetition techniques?

Diacope specifically repeats words with only a few words in between, creating tight, focused emphasis. Unlike anaphora or epistrophe which occur at structural positions, diacope can happen anywhere, creating internal echoes that reinforce key terms.

Learn more

Silva Rhetoricae (BYU) - Diacope
The Buckley School of Public Speaking - Diacope
Wikipedia - Diacope

Put it into practice

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