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Tricolon

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Tricolon

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Tricolon is the use of three successive sentence parts of equal length and increasing power.

Example

I came, I saw, I conquered. (veni, vidi, vici - Julius Caesar)

We will fight! We will kill!! We will destroy!!

I like her, love her, need her forever.

Discussion

The isocolon combines the Triple with Climax to use the power of repetition with increasing force.

To be a true isocolon, the phrases should be of exact length, so the Latin version of Caesar's famous words is an isocolon, whilst the English translation is not quite there ('conquered' is two syllables).

Classification: Repetition, Amplification