Tautology: the saying of the same

thing twice in different words to emphasize

meaning.

Tautology in everyday life:

The evening sunset is beautiful.
The use of tautology here is to accentuate the time of day, as evening and sunset
have the same connotative meaning.

Tautology in Literature:
“But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you
came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping,
tapping at my door.”
Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven”
Poe uses two instances of tautology here, both gently and faintly, and rapping and
tapping. In literature, tautology is often used to for dramatic effect, to add beauty,
or to cause deeper reflection in the reader.

Tautology in famous sayings:

Our nation must come together to unite.”
George W. Bush
By using the tautology of together and unite, Bush emphasized his thoughts on the
need for everyone to work as a collective.