Parallel structure in english refers to the use of similar grammar constructions within a sentence or clause. Understanding parallel structure parallel structure also called parallelism is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. Created by the evergreen writing center library 3407. Parallelism examples and definition of parallelism. The term parallel refers to two things that are analogous to each other. Parallel structure is especially important to consider when drafting thesis statements for academic writing. In rhetoric, parallelism means balancing two or more ideas or arguments that are equally important. But examples of good and bad parallel structure can be surprisingly obvious.
If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Antithesis is a kind of parallelism in which two opposite ideas are put together in parallel structures. Parallel ideas must be presented in parallel grammatical form, which means that each part of a sentence uses the same grammatical structure. Whenever you make a list of items or actions in a sentence, using equal grammatical units is crucial. Let us analyze a few examples of parallelism in literature. Notice how the verb forms in the correct version of the two sentences use the same verb form.
That means they are two lines that continuously have the same distance between them and never intersect. Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take afternoon. Examples of parallel words examples of parallel phrases examples of parallel clauses the examples below show how to repair faulty parallelism. The term parallel structure also known as parallelism refers to the use of identical grammatical forms in succession. Parallel plot structure in literature nonlinear plots. Because its easier to understand a sentence that doesnt change course midstream. When structure is parallel, the readers flow is uninterrupted. In the above discussion on coordinating conjunctions, i provided some examples of parallel structure. Parallel structure parallelism is a similarity of grammatical form for similar elements of meaning within a sentence or among sentences. If you still have doubts, remember bob doroughs classic example of parallel structure here. Mar 22, 20 parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. If the first item stated in the list is a noun, the following items should also consist of nouns. Parallel structure is repetition of a certain form, which provides balance and clarity in your writing. The repetition of sounds, meanings, and structures serves to order, emphasize, and point out relations.
Famous literature examples of parallel structure answers. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. She enjoys knitting and sewing, and she also enjoys embroidering. In the incorrect version of the sentences, the verb forms are varied. Parallelism refers to placing similarly structured elements in apposition to one another in a given sentence, so as to make it sound better and easier to understand. A parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as for, and, nor, or, but. Parallelism or parallel structure is one of the secrets of great writing.
Some of the most famous speeches and works of literature have utilized parallelism to achieve repetition or balance. Notice how i double or triple 1 entire sentences, 2 dependent that clauses, 3 adverbial clauses, 4 prepositional phrases, 5 subjects, 6 verbs, and 7 verbal objects. Parallel structure is a vital tool for all writers. Superb examples of parallelism in literature and popular. In the first line, parallel structure equates three different groups of society. Parallel structure is a fairly advanced grammar concept.
If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. Parallel structure means repeating a certain patterns of words in a related pair or series. The basic principle is that mixed expressions reduce the effectiveness of content, so its best to use the same forms of expression. Parallelism is a device used to make moments in literature memorable and alluring. You may find that the parallel example sounds much better to your ears. This grammatical form can be used with a variety of structures including infinitives, words, clauses and lists parallel structure should be used when you connect clauses with a coordinating conjunction such as. Parallelism is the use of corresponding or parallel constructions in writing.
If your thesis statement presents your reader with two or more, main points, you must ensure that each point is expressed in parallel form. Parallel structure is essential to accurate grammatical structure, as it improves coherence and consistency. Examples of parallel structure redline language services. If you still have doubts, remember bob doroughs classic example of. The term parallel stories, also referred to as parallel narratives or parallel plots, denotes a story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme. Words and phrases should not only match in structure, but also in tense. For an example of parallel structure in poetry, see the following excerpt from e.
This grammatical form can be used with a variety of structures including infinitives, words, clauses, and lists. It emphasizes on the same level of importance of multiple ideas or information given in the same sentence. Examples of parallel structure abound in good writing. In order to use parallelism, examine a normal sentence. Parallelism is a prominent feature in prose, poetry, speeches, and plays alike. The definition of parallelism in literature is the use of identical or equivalent syntactic constructions in corresponding clauses and phrases. I like to run infinitive, to swim infinitive, and to surf infinitive. Parallel structure requires items in a list to be parallel in tense and form. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. Find phrases which can be written in a grammatically parallel way. The example below is a thesis statement that is not in parallel form.
The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as and or or. A list is more legible and more useful when all the items follow the same grammatical pattern. But parallel lines can also affect poetry differently, giving them a childlike. Supplementary scholarly analysis or explanation of device. Introduction to parallel structure in english magoosh. By convention, items in a series appear in parallel grammatical form. An essay on criticism by alexander pope antithesis is a kind of parallelism in which two opposite ideas are put together in parallel structures. The dog ran across the yard, jumped over the fence, and sprinted down the alley.
Its a grammatical construction carrying two or more clauses, phrases or words, with a similar grammatical form and length. For a few examples, consider sentences without parallelism turned into sentences with parallelism. Example of parallel structure examples to save time and. In both cases, there is a mistake in parallel structure. These elements should be in the same grammatical form so that they are parallel. Parallel structure is a stylistic device, and a grammatical construction having two or more clauses, phrases or words, with similar grammatical form and length. The following wellknown adage is an example of parallelism. Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Poets use parallelism for a variety of reasons, perhaps the main one being for emphasis. Parallel structure parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Elizabeth calmly and with grace made her way down the aisle. In english grammar, parallel structure involves two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are similar in length and grammatical form. Famous examples of parallelism a knowledge archive. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.
Learn what makes parallelism such a powerful tool and read some famous literary examples. Writers use parallel structure in the words and phrases in their sentences. The same is true for what is known as a parallel sentence. The intention is to organize information into context. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a parallel construction. It will help you get higher grades, improve your job. Parallel structure examples and definition of parallel. Ill give my jewels for a set of beads, my gorgeous palace for a hermitage, my gay apparel for an almsmans gown, my figured goblets for a dish of wood. We debated the difference between the weather in minnesota in the winter and how hot it is in the summer. Parallel structure, or parallelism, means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance. Understanding parallel structure in english can help your toefl score. When structure is perpendicular, the reader is thrown off and the content weakened.
The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as and or or driscoll, dana lynn. It gives greater balance and power to the way you communicate. If there are two or more numbers of information in a sentence, grammatical form of the first information must be followed to express the remaining ideas. Parallel stories enrich a work and have been used by playwrights and novelists for centuries. Sep 23, 2014 this video defines parallel structure and analyzes what makes it powerful spoiler alert. Parallel structure refers to the same structure repeating throughout a sentence.
In parallel structure, sentences have a series of phrases or clauses, which start and end in almost a similar fashion, by keeping the rhythm of the lines. This is easy to see in the famous i have a dream speech, a segment of which ill copy here. If two or more ideas are parallel, they should be expressed in parallel grammatical form. Parallel structure is a convention in literature which requires consistency in use of style. This video defines parallel structure and analyzes what makes it powerful spoiler alert. Parallelism, in rhetoric, component of literary style in both prose and poetry, in which coordinate ideas are arranged in phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balance one element with another of equal importance and similar wording. This example shows parallel structure but the passage could use attention for a few other reasons, such as the split infinitive and lack of genderneutral language. Dec 14, 2016 examples of parallel structure abound in good writing.
Therefore, a parallel structure, otherwise known as parallelism, is a stylistic device used to increase the readability of ones writing by creating a word pattern that readers can easily follow. Examples of parallel structure from literature and speeches. Parallelism is often referred to as one of the basic principles of grammar and rhetoric, and youll see its use throughout literature. Parallel structure grammar writing resources writing.
Using parallel structure in your writing will help with 1 economy 2 clarity 3 equality 4 delight. Writers use parallel structure to add clarity to their writing and to make it easier to understand. These parallel elements can be used to intensify the rhythm of language, or to draw a comparison, emphasize, or elaborate on an idea. Here are some examples of parallelism in literature and popular culture. Use parallel structure with elements in lists or in a series. Sentence elements that are alike in function should also be alike in construction. Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence or series of sentences have the same grammatical structure. Jun 29, 2018 parallelism or parallel structure is one of the secrets of great writing. For example, a sentence cannot state they loved going to the park where they went running, jumped, and laughed but rather they loved going to the park where they ran, jumped, and laughed. As the shape of modern literacy continues to change. Parallelism or parallel structure is described as using a pattern of words such as verbs or adjectives to demonstrate similar words in a sentence where all elements within the sentence are of equal importance. In speech and literature, parallel structure can make your rhetoric extra powerful and even make it more memorable. Alexander pope, in his an essay on criticism, uses antithetic parallel structure.
Parallel structure is a stylistic choice to make verbs in a sentence maintain a pattern. It can also be used as an effective technique by highlighting important information or as a. In poetry, parallel lines can be analogous by way of structure or content. Parallelism has slightly different meanings, depending on the context, but its about balancing the weight or structure of ideas and phrases. Superb examples of parallelism in literature and popular culture. Parallelism dictionary definition parallelism defined. In the second line, the author uses parallel structure with the phrases to bury caesar, not to praise him. Any time you are creating a list in writing, you will want to use a parallel sentence structure. Parallel structure refers to same word pattern within a sentence by repeating a chosen grammatical form. This is opposed to listing items in terms of importance.
515 346 1476 519 826 828 1464 278 1265 1641 1321 1399 965 251 670 473 1610 1198 203 1313 1369 425 646 1125 1437 1054 469 229 978 546 1438 1270 1378 1453 519 1078 766 1210