Recapitulation is a biological concept that suggests that the development of an individual organism, or ontogeny, mirrors the evolutionary history of its species, or phylogeny. This idea, often summarized by the phrase "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," implies that as an organism grows, it passes through stages that resemble the adult forms of its evolutionary ancestors. In a broader context, recapitulation can also refer to summarizing or restating key points in a discussion or text. This technique is commonly used in writing and presentations to reinforce important information and ensure clarity for the audience.