Many authors and researchers worry that their academic writing is too repetitive, but repetition can be a useful tool when used correctly. It is important in developing academic manuscripts, it can benefit readers, and is encouraged (in appropriate contexts) by editors and publishers.
Repeating key words and phrases throughout a manuscript is a good way to link ideas, making sure that each point relates to the core argument of the paper. This repetition sharpens the focus of the manuscript and results in a more cohesive article: the author is less likely to stray off-topic, and it is easier for the reader to follow the author’s argument as it builds towards a conclusion.[1]
Why Should Authors Avoid Unnecessary Repetition?
There is a fine line between effective and unnecessary repetition. The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) advises that ‘Information given in one section preferably should not be repeated in other sections.’[2] In practice, this means you should not make the same point or argument more than once per article unless it adds value. The key to using repetition effectively is to ensure that it adds something to the manuscript.
Repetition that reinforces an argument or supports a new idea, as described above, is useful and helps both the author and the reader. Repeating text and data without adding value only serves to add length, something that can annoy readers (who have to waste time reading unnecessary text) and implies that the author has not researched or planned their paper in sufficient detail and must reuse material to fill space. It can also be problematic if there are word count limits for the article type.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Repetition in your Academic Writing
- Don't repeat the same point too often, even in your conclusion: As an author, you should use repetition sparingly when writing your conclusions. Although it is important to restate the hypothesis and summarize your evidence, you should avoid repeating what has already been said. Instead, you should reintroduce your hypothesis (without quoting it directly) before giving a brief summary of the key points that have been made as a result of your research findings.
- Check journal guidelines thoroughly: Some journals also expect authors to discuss the implications of their conclusion or suggest possibilities for further research. Check the journal guidelines and other papers to see if including this information is appropriate – doing so is a good way to develop a conclusion without relying on reusing content.
- Shorten or abbreviate where possible: When a manuscript makes frequent references to a long scientific name or organization, it is good practice to introduce an abbreviation at first use and then use said abbreviation for the rest of the article.[3]
- Avoid overuse of figures and tables: You should also consider whether figures and tables are unnecessarily repetitive. EASE recommends that authors should be careful not to include data in a figure if they have already been shown in a table (and vice versa),[4] and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) advises that authors should not ‘repeat all the data in the tables or figures in the text’, and should instead ‘emphasize or summarize only the most important observations’.[5]
- Be careful to avoid self-plagiarism: In addition to repeating text and data in a single manuscript, authors should also be mindful of industry expectations when it comes to repeating text and data from published work in new material. Repetition of this nature can lead toself-plagiarism, but is acceptable if properly cited and used to support new ideas and arguments. You can also reuse text and data if you are creating a secondary publication aimed at a different group of readers than the first publication and have the approval of the editors of both journals.[6]
Why not get Help from Experts?
Looking for help and guidance on striking the right balance in your article between effective and unnecessary repetition? At Charlesworth, our team of expert editors can help you with the quality and impact of your writing.
References
[1] EASE, 2015; http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/author-guidelines, accessed 6 June 2016.
[2] EASE, 2015; http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/author-guidelines, accessed 6 June 2016.
[3] EASE, 2015; http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/author-guidelines, accessed 6 June 2016.
[4] EASE, 2015; http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/author-guidelines, accessed 6 June 2016.
[5] ICMJE, 2015;www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf, accessed 6 June 2016.
[6] EASE, 2015; http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/author-guidelines, accessed 6 June 2016.
FAQs
Repeating lines in a poem can also help create emphasis or urgency. When a line, word, phrase, or stanza is repeated, the reader notices. They are drawn into that detail. Authors can use repetition to help drive home an important message within the poem.
What is it called when an author uses repetition? ›
Anaphora—repeat a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
What does repetition do in an article? ›
The key to using repetition effectively is to ensure that it adds something to the manuscript. Repetition that reinforces an argument or supports a new idea, as described above, is useful and helps both the author and the reader.
Why do most authors use repetition? ›
When a writer utilizes repetition, they're putting multiple iterations of a word or phrase in close proximity to each other. In other words, a word or phrase is repeated to provide clarity and emphasis, highlighting deeper meanings in the text.
Why is repetition impactful? ›
It's good because repetition provides the practice that children need to master new skills. Repetition helps to improve speed, increases confidence, and strengthens the connections in the brain that help children learn.
Which is the most likely reason a writer might use repetition? ›
Explanation: The most likely reason a writer might use repetition is to create a sense of return. Repetition is a powerful rhetorical device that can have various effects, such as emphasizing a particular point, creating cohesion, or invoking an emotional response from the reader.
What does repetition suggest to the reader? ›
Repeating a word or phrase in a work of poetry or prose calls it to the reader's attention. This creates emphasis by highlighting the importance of the word or phrase. Therefore, the reader is more likely to consider the meaning of the word or phrase in a deeper way.
What is the power of repetition? ›
This consistent effort helps to solidify the information in your long-term memory, making it more readily accessible when you need it. Repetition also builds confidence and familiarity. The more you repeat a task or revisit a concept, the more comfortable and confident you become in executing it.
Why do writers use repetition in their writing? ›
Writers use repetition in their writing for a few important reasons. The first reason is to make an idea stand out and be remembered by the reader. When a writer repeats a word or phrase, they want to convey that that is something worth paying attention to.
What is the rule of repetition in writing? ›
The basic rule of repetition is that any text, visual, or textual elements that have similar functions should be formatted similarly in order to create continuity and show close relationships between the elements.
Repetition in Persuasive Writing
to make the offer stick in people's minds, so that they're more likely to take up the offer later. Some might also repeat positive adjectives to describe their product to make the audience think that way about it, too.
What is the effect of repetition in literature? ›
Importance of Repetition. Repetition is an important literary device because it allows a writer or speaker to place emphasis on things they choose as significant. It tells the reader or audience that the words being used are central enough to be repeated, and lets them know when to pay special attention to the language ...
What is another word for repetition in literature? ›
Anaphora is the repetition of words or phrases in a group of sentences, clauses, or poetic lines.
What is an example of unnecessary repetition? ›
Repeated words and phrases can cause wordiness, which is the term used to describe sentences that uses more words than are necessary. For instance, the sentence The cat is mean, and the cat is old uses needless repetition—the cat. A more concise version of the sentence would read The cat is mean and old.
What is the purpose of using repetition? ›
Repetition is an important literary device because it allows a writer or speaker to place emphasis on things they choose as significant. It tells the reader or audience that the words being used are central enough to be repeated, and lets them know when to pay special attention to the language.
What is the purpose of the repetition statement? ›
Repetitions are used whenever a type of statement is to be executed several times, eg. writing x times 'hello', writing hello till a number has been reached which is not known before but computed in the loop etc. The general name for these 3 Statements is 'loop' because all three execute in a loop.
What is the most likely reason the author uses repetition? ›
Repetition is used to call our attention as readers to a specific point. It's not always for emphasis but it gives a clue to the reader to pay attention to it.
