Table of Contents
Introduction
Adnomination is a figure of speech where words with the same root or similar sound are repeated in a sentence or phrase for rhetorical effect, emphasizing a point or creating a memorable expression.
In this article, we will define this figure of speech and illustrate it with examples from literature.
Let’s get started with understanding what adnomination means!
What is Adnomination?
Adnomination is the repetition of words with a change in letter or sound, typically involving the use of words that share a common root or phonetic similarity to enhance rhetorical impact or emphasize a particular idea.
To illustrate this stylistic device, let’s consider these examples:
- “He is nobody from nowhere and he knows nothing.”
- Adnomination: “nobody,” “nowhere,” and “nothing”
- Explanation: Adnomination is used here through the repetition of the root “no-” in the words “nobody,” “nowhere,” and “nothing” This repetition emphasizes the lack of identity and knowledge attributed to the subject, creating a rhetorical effect by highlighting the absence or insignificance of the person.
- “News is what somebody, somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”
- Adnomination: “somebody” and “somewhere.”
- Explanation: Adnomination is evident in the repetition of the root “some-” in the words “somebody” and “somewhere.” This repetition emphasizes the vague and unspecified nature of those who aim to suppress news, reinforcing the idea that news is often targeted by undisclosed individuals in unidentified locations. The use of adnomination in this context adds a rhetorical flourish, underscoring the clandestine and hidden aspects of news suppression.
Why Do Writers Use Admonition?
Writers use adnomination for various rhetorical purposes. This linguistic device adds emphasis, creativity, and memorability to their expressions. By strategically repeating words with similar roots or sounds, writers can heighten the impact of their message and engage readers more effectively.
Here are some reasons why writers use this figure of speech:
- Emphasis and Intensification:
- Adnomination allows writers to emphasize key points by reinforcing them through repetition. This repetition not only draws attention but also intensifies the impact of the words, making them more memorable for the audience.
- Rhetorical Flourish and Creativity:
- Writers use adnomination to infuse a sense of creativity and rhetorical flair into their language. By playing with words that share a common root or phonetic similarity, they create a more vivid and aesthetically pleasing expression, enhancing the overall quality of their writing.
- Memorability and Impact:
- Adnomination contributes to the memorability of a message. The repetitive nature of the figure of speech makes the words linger in the reader’s mind, ensuring that the writer’s intended message remains impactful and resonant even after the reading experience has concluded.
Examples of Admonition
Let’s start with the journalistic saying attributed to Lord Northcliffe, as discussed above:
“News is what somebody, somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”
In the above sentence, adnomination is used through the repetition of words that share the same root. The repetition of “somebody” and “somewhere” emphasizes the vague and undisclosed nature of those who aim to suppress news. This rhetorical device adds a stylistic and emphatic quality to the statement, underscoring the covert and unidentified aspects of news suppression.
The second example is from The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man“:
He’s a real nowhere man
From “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
The phrase “nowhere plans for nobody” exemplifies adnomination. In the above lines, the repetition occurs with the root “no” in both “nowhere plans,” “nowhere land,” and “for nobody.” The similar sound and root create a rhetorical effect, contributing to the song’s message about a person with seemingly directionless plans and existence.
Here is another example:
He is bravely fighting his ultimate fight as a real fighter.”
In the above sentence, adnomination is used through the repetition of words with the same root, which is “fight.” The use of “fighting,” “fight,” and “fighter” emphasizes and intensifies the idea of combat and struggle.
This rhetorical device adds emphasis to the determination and courage of the subject, creating a vivid and impactful expression by repeating variations of the same key term.
Similarly, the following sentence features adnomination with the root, “some”:
I heard somebody somewhere saying something interesting to someone.
In the sentence above, there is indeed an adnomination. All four words — “somebody,” “somewhere,” “something,” and “someone” — share the same root “some.” This repetition of the root while changing the form of the word constitutes an adnomination, creating a rhythmic and stylistic effect in the sentence.
Conclusion
In summary, adnomination is a powerful rhetorical device that involves the strategic repetition of words with similar roots or speech sounds, thereby creating a distinct rhythmic and stylistic impact. It is used to emphasize key points, enhance creativity, and contribute to the memorability of expressions.
If you incorporate this figure of speech in your writing, you can elevate the aesthetic quality of your language, strengthen the emphasis on specific ideas, and leave a lasting impression on your audience through the artful use of linguistic repetition.
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