Mark Forsyth: How to Make Your Writing Memorable | How I Write Podcast
How I Write
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The Power of Rhetorical Devices in Pop Music
Rhetorical devices like polyptoton, which involve using a word in different senses, and playing with nouns and verbs, create memorable phrases in pop music. By taking the same word and using it in a slightly different way, such as noun and verb forms, artists achieve a lasting impact in their lyrics. This technique is evident in classic songs like 'Dream a little dream of me' and 'Give us this day our daily bread.' Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' is an example of this practice, repeating words to drive the message home. Such devices make lyrics stick in the mind and resonate with listeners.
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