Epistrophe (Greek: ἐπιστροφή, "return") is a rhetorical device that involves repeating the same word or words at the end of phrases, clauses, or sentences. It is also called epiphora and sometimes referred to as antistrophe. It is a type of figure of speech and the opposite of anaphora, which repeats words at the beginning. This technique is very effective because it highlights the last word in each phrase or sentence.

Platonic epistrophe

Greek epistrophe is a term created by Plato to describe the purpose of teaching philosophy. Later, early Christians used this term to refer to the process of changing beliefs to follow Christianity.

Examples

The quote from Shakespeare in The Tempest (4.1.108–109; 116–17) uses a literary technique called epistrophe in the beginning, and anaphora in the later part.