climax

	Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure. More specifically, climax is the repetition of the last word of one clause or sentence at the beginning of the next, through several clauses or sentences (= anadiplosis)

Examples
	Miss America was not so much interested in serving herself as she was eager to serve her family, her community, and her nation. The following passage from the Bible shows that version of climax that is synonymous with anadiplosis: But we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial; and trial hope; and hope confoundeth not, because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us. —St. Paul
Related Figures
	anadiplosis auxesis catacosmesis The opposite of climax: placing the most important thing first.
See Also
	Figures of Amplification Figures of Parallelism Figures of Order

	Sources:	Primary sources Ad Herennium 4.25.34 ("gradatio");Melanch. IR d1r-v ("gradatio" "climax"); Sherry (1550) 58 ("climax," "gradacio"); Peacham (1577) Q2v-Q3r ("incrementum," "climax"); Fraunce (1588) 1.17-18 ("climax," "gradation"); Putt. (1589) 217 ("clymax," "the marching figure"); Day 1599 91 ("auxesis," "incrementum"), 94 ("climax," "gradatio" [=anadiplosis]); Hoskins 1599 12 (=anadiplosis).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University
Please cite "Silva Rhetoricae" (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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cli'-max	Gk. "ladder"
	Also sp. *klimax, clymax*
	*gradatio, incrementum*
	*the marching figure, gradation*