What Is Polysyndeton? | Definition & Examples

Polysyndeton is the repeated use of conjunctions like “and”, “or,” and “but” in close succession, particularly where these are not necessary. This is to create emphasis, rhythm, and a feeling of urgency in a text.

Polysyndeton is used in various forms of writing, including novels, poems, and song lyrics.

Polysyndeton definition

Polysyndeton is a literary device and rhetorical device in which coordinating conjunctions are added for effect between words or phrases. Coordinating conjunctions join words or clauses in a sentence into relationships of equal importance. The most common are “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so” (also known by the acronym FANBOYS).

In a polysyndeton, conjunctions are used several times in a sentence although none are grammatically necessary and could be replaced with a comma. For example, the sentence “We went for a walk and fed the ducks and had some ice cream and rode the Ferris wheel” is a polysyndeton for “We went for a walk, fed the ducks, had some ice cream, and rode the Ferris wheel.” Here, the extra conjunctions emphasize the continuous sequence of actions, adding a sense of energy and enthusiasm to the sentence.

What is polysyndeton?

Polysyndeton is found in both poetry and prose and also in everyday speech. Writers use polysyndeton to create a range of effects, from rhythmic cadence to emotional resonance. More specifically, polysyndeton is used to:

• Add emphasis. By repeating conjunctions, writers can maintain or slow down the pace of the text. This forces the reader to pay equal attention to each of the series of words or thoughts, making the text more memorable. For example, “The fireworks lit the sky with red and blue and green and yellow.”
• Convey specific emotions or moods. Polysyndeton creates a sense of accumulation and intensity, with short bits of information piling up. For instance, the sentence “There was a low rumbling of heavy sea-boots among the benches, and a still slighter shuffling of women’s shoes, and all was quiet again, and every eye on the preacher” from Moby Dick immerses the reader in the moment, heightening the atmosphere.
• Imitate natural speech. Alternatively, writers use polysyndeton to create realistic dialogues that convey a character’s anxiety or childlike enthusiasm. For example, the sentence “I want ice cream and cookies and cake and candy and chocolate and marshmallows and sprinkles on top” has a childlike tone to it.
• Convey solemnity. Polysyndeton is often found in religious texts, like the Bible, creating the opposite effect of a childlike voice. By slowing down speech, polysyndeton gives each word more weight and dignity, making language feel sacred.

While polysyndeton is a versatile tool, it should be used sparingly. Extended use of polysyndeton throughout a text can irritate the reader or cause them to lose track of the main idea.

Polysyndeton vs asyndeton

Asyndeton is the opposite of polysyndeton. Whereas polysyndeton requires adding extra conjunctions where they are not necessary, asyndeton involves omitting conjunctions like “and,” “but,” and “or” between words, phrases, or clauses.

Asyndeton is used to speed up a text’s rhythm, add emphasis, or give the impression of an unfinished list.

Polysyndeton examples

In the following passage from Ernest Hemingway’s After the Storm, polysyndeton mimics natural speech while the speaker is rapidly recounting events. The accumulation of details contributes to the sense of chaos in the aftermath of a storm.

The extensive use of polysyndeton in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is due to the influence of the Hebrew source text, where the conjunction “and” is frequently used, but it is also a stylistic choice adding rhythm to the translation.

Frequently asked questions about polysyndeton

What is a polysyndeton example?

The sentence “The dog jumped and barked and frolicked in the field” is an example of polysyndeton. The repeated use of the conjunction “and” conveys a sense of continuous movement, energy, and excitement.

What is the opposite of polysyndeton?

The opposite of polysyndeton is asyndeton. It is the deliberate absence of conjunctions like “and,” “or,” “but,” etc. Unlike polysyndeton, which repeatedly adds conjunctions, asyndeton omits conjunctions for effect (e.g., to speed up the rhythm).