Don't repeat yourself (II)

Another type of repetition that works well is centered on elements, with the intention that the reader remembers them. As authors, we want the reader to think about them, to reflect on them, so as the plot progresses she is wondering how those elements we talk about so much, fit in the story.

The great advantage that this resource offers is that it gives coherence to the plot. It avoids falling into the use of "Deus Ex Machina" and prevents that our history seems to use it. For example, imagine that our story is about a man who suspects that his partner is unfaithful to him, he follows her, keeps an eye on her. At the end of the story he discovers that he was right, pulls out a gun and kills her and his lover.

That example needs repetition to be coherent, element repetition. Throughout the story, it's needed a couple of scenes detailing that the protagonist has a gun, why he has it, what he intends to do with it, in short, to make the reader familiar with that element. So when we reach the end and he pulls out the gut, it makes sense.