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Recurrent phrase

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

A phrase that repeats at intervals throughout a poem for structural or thematic reinforcement

Detailed Definition
A recurrent phrase is a verbal motif that repeats throughout a poem with slight variations, building rhythm and thematic resonance—such as Maya Angelou’s “Still I rise” or Dylan Thomas’s “Do not go gentle.” Unlike static refrains, recurrent phrases often evolve in context, tracing emotional or narrative shifts. Their power grows through accumulation, making them ideal for meditative, ritual, or protest poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Still I rise” (Maya Angelou); “Do not go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas); “I wandered lonely as a cloud” (Wordsworth); “O Captain! My Captain!” (Whitman); “Tyger Tyger, burning bright” (Blake)
Additional Notes
A recurrent phrase is a repeated verbal motif that builds rhythm and thematic resonance. Unlike refrains, it may vary slightly (“miles to go” → “more miles to go”). Use to trace emotional or narrative shifts.
Also Known As
Cyclic utterance recurring chorus line
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