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Backward reference

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Use of a linguistic or rhetorical element that refers to an earlier word or idea.

Detailed Definition
Backward reference occurs when a later line or stanza in a poem alludes to or depends on an earlier element for full comprehension, creating intertextual cohesion; unlike forward reference, it reinforces unity by drawing the reader’s attention back, deepening resonance through recursive connection.
Example
Example in poetry:
A pronoun referring back to earlier subject: “John saw the bird. He smiled”; Biblical psalms referring back to “Lord” with repeated pronouns; A poem using “she” after introducing the maiden; Epic verse recalling earlier nouns by pronouns
Additional Notes
Backward reference is a pronoun or other word that refers to something mentioned earlier in the text; a standard feature of grammar called anaphora (not the repetitive poetic device).
Also Known As
backward allusion retro-reference inverse reference reversed echo Anaphorism Call-back device Pointing back Callback device
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