In rhetoric, a tautology is the unnecessary repetition of an idea using different words (e.g., “a free gift”).

Tautologies are often considered to be a stylistic fault that should be avoided. However, they can also be used effectively as a rhetorical device or figure of speech.

The term may also refer to a logical tautology: a statement that is true in all circumstances because it includes all possibilities (e.g., “it will snow tomorrow or it will not”).

Example: Rhetorical tautologies

Mark is an unmarried bachelor.

In my opinion, I think it’s a good book.

The party was an unexpected surprise.

The boat will depreciate in value.

Note

The term “tautology” is often used interchangeably with “pleonasm.”

Some sources try to make a distinction between the two: pleonasms repeat the inherent quality of a thing but may involve different parts of speech (e.g., “burning fire”), while tautologies involve synonyms (e.g., multiple adjectives with the same meaning: “a big, huge truck”). However, this distinction is rarely followed in practice.

Types of tautology

There are two main types of tautology. One is relevant in the context of rhetoric, the other in the context of formal logic.

Rhetorical tautology

A rhetorical tautology is the redundant restatement of an idea of concept.

Rhetorical tautologies occur when additional words are used to convey a meaning that is already expressed or implied. For example, the phrase “a new innovation” is a tautology because “innovations” are by definition “new.”

Rhetorical tautologies are usually perceived as bad style because they are needlessly repetitive. However, they can also be used to effectively emphasize a particular aspect of an idea (for this reason, they’re often used in political speeches and advertising slogans).

Examples: Rhetorical tautologies

Call to receive your free gift.

Have you made any future plans?

The police apprehended the armed gunman.

Logical tautology

A logical tautology is a proposition or statement that is always true because it excludes no logical possibility.

Logical tautologies don’t express any meaningful claim about the world. They usually take the form of “either/or” statements (e.g., “It will happen or it won’t”).

Some logical tautologies involve circular reasoning, meaning they support their initial claim by referring back to the claim again. In these instances, the premise is simply repeated (e.g., “blue is blue”).

Examples: Logical tautologies

It is or it isn’t.

You’re coming or you’re not.

The book is popular because people like it.

While logical tautologies are typically logically redundant, they’re sometimes used in a non-literal sense (often to express inevitability).

Examples: Non-literal logical tautologies

Boys will be boys. [i.e., mischievous behavior is typical of boys]

It is what it is. [i.e., the situation can’t be changed and must be accepted]

Should you avoid using tautologies?

Using tautologies is normally considered a fault of style and should be avoided in formal contexts like academic writing.

Tautologies often occur when a synonym (or a word that conveys a similar idea) is included in a sentence. In these instances, you can remove the superfluous word to make your writing more concise.

Examples: Fixing tautologous statements

• I’m arriving at 6 a.m. in the morning. [a.m. means “in the morning”]

• I’m arriving at 6 a.m.

• I’m arriving at 6 in the morning.

• Aaron made an unintentional mistake. [mistakes are always unintentional]

• Aaron made a mistake.

• You can use the ATM machine over there. [ATM stands for “automated teller machine”]

• You can use the ATM over there.

However, tautologies are often also used effectively in literature, political speeches, advertising, and everyday speech to emphasize something or convey a sense of certainty.

For example, while the expression “I saw it with my own eyes” is tautologous (you cannot see something with someone else’s eyes), it’s commonly used to emphasize that something is true even though it seems unbelievable.

Frequently asked questions

Ryan, E. (2023, October 23). Tautology | Meaning, Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/rhetoric/tautology/

​

​

​

논문과 관련하여 도움이 필요한 경우 친절하게 상담하고 있으니 편한 마음으로, 전화, 홈페이지, 카톡, 톡톡 등을 통해 상담을 받아보세요~

​

대표번호 : 02-554-0805

고객센터 : 1899-0805

24시간카톡상담 : brainphd

이메일 : info5044@brainphd.co.kr

​

#Article #Research #Paper #논문컨설팅 #석사논문 #박사논문 #공학논문 #사회복지논문 #건축학논문 #서울대박사 #논문통계 #SPSS #SCI논문 #학위논문 #논문교정 #부산논문 #대전논문 #간호학논문 #경영학논문 #마케팅논문 #음악논문 #미술논문 #교육학논문 #심리학논문 #의학논문

​