Skip to main content

The pleasure of poetic pattern - David Silverstein

985,310 Views

45,286 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Humans are creatures of rhythm and repetition. From our breath to our gait: rhythm is central to our experience, and often brings us pleasure. We can find pleasure in the rhythm of a song, or even the rows of an orchard. Of course, too much repetition can also backfire. David Silverstein describes what poetic repetition is and why it works.

Can you find a visual representation of repetition in your world? Maybe repeated rows of desks? Or roads lined with trees? How might you capture that repetition in language, so someone might visualize the patterns without physically seeing them?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator David Silverstein
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Avi Ofer
  • Animator Avi Ofer
  • Composer Stephen LaRosa
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Playing with Language