Diacope
For Penny Fuller's Part D: The A-Z of Unusual Words
My Word: Diacope
Definition: Noun, Rhetoric. A literary or rhetorical device that emphasizes an aspect of the writer’s or speaker’s main idea through the repetition of words or phrases, which are separated by other words or phrases, as in “You’re a good dog, Gracie. Such a good dog. What a good dog.”
My Connection: I originally had a few ideas for words I was going to pick out for the D challenge. I then found diacope, and on the site I used, the definition was "deep wound or incision" which I was going to use for a poem about internal, psychological wounds. However, when I Googled the word, it gave the above definition, which felt even more apt as I love repetition. I have used repetition many times in poetry and fiction. It's a great way to really highlight a word, phrase, argument, point etc. I worry sometimes that people think it (not generally my friends here and regular readers) is lazy or could be taken that way. When, the reality, it's not.
I Had a hard time finding a suitable image to convey the repetition of words more directly, so I opted for this quirky image of a dress inspired by Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, as Warhol used repetition for various reasons.
My Poem
Repetition for repetition
is not
laziness for laziness' sake
repetition for repetition
is for emphasis, to highlight, give emphasis to a point
*
The point is not to take up space
fill gaps, so to speak—
that is what the point is not
the point is that repetition
draws us in
leads us beyond the gaps, so to speak
*
Repetition like a mantra—memorandum
to make you stop—
is why it's there,
its purpose is to make you think
think beyond the repetition
to the why of the repetition—
whether part of the contrition
or some wholesome meditation
*
Repetition for repetition
is for
purpose and meaning
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Trying to make sure I meet deadlines before I'm away for a few days and internet is a bit sketchier. For Penny Fuller's wonderful and inspiring ongoing unusual words challenge, the D part, which you can find out more about here:
Here are some other things you might like:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (21)
Its been interesting to me when I look up a word for these challenges and discover one site says X and another says Y and then trying to figure out which one to use. Do you know if its pronounced DEe ah co pee or die- uh, cope (as in a youngster telling us to cope)
Well done!✅
Congrats on your win!
loved your reason for picking the word and the great image you chose...all of it so you and that is in my cup of tea range!!
a powerful poem it is
Thanks for the new word ✅… your poem was a delightfully fitting read🩵.
When it's on purpose it's good. When it's an accidental echo, it's not 😁
Oh the repetition is always there because we want it there. Except for those times I used the same word in two successive sentences because it must just be in my head at that time and I didnt want to do that at all.
Loved this Paul!! Oddly enough I needed the reminder that repetition is okay... when done correctly!! 😅 (been doing some editing of my next book)
I’d not heard of this challenge before. It’s very unique. You pieces itself is so neat and tidy and sounds great too (the rhythm and rhyme). 👏 Glad to know of this word now and for some reason this part in your notes amused me for some absurd reason, “I Had a hard time finding a suitable image to convey the repetition of words more directly”. 😄 Initially I thought it was a lollipop of the artwork. 😅 You headed on another trip or a gig?
Love this! Repetition is definitely not lazy and I really admire poets like you who use it so effectively!
Omgggg hahahahahahaha your poem reminded me of Umbridge's speech from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! I loved it!
This is great, and I agree about the repetition. Sometimes it just helps to hammer the point home.
Interesting words you pick to share. Good work.
I think this is a fabulous choice and I knew the connection as soon as I read the definition. You employ it well. Well done, my friend across the pond!
Fab poem and I've learned a new word too! I say things over and over to try and remember them and then I swear to god, I forget them two seconds later. My middle name should be Goldfish!
Ah, I've been thinking about this word myself but wasn't sure if this was the one for me. Clearly not, lol
Emphasis is an important word and a useful device in writing. And you’re right, your use of it in previous work has been pretty effective.
Great job!!! I think the cover went will with the word
That was great. That was really great. That was really, really great...! 😁 😀 😃
A clever meditation on a rhetorical trope, my liege!