Parallelism or parallel structure is when you repeat similar grammatical parts, whether you’re talking or writing. Using this structure can make your message clearer and easier to understand. It’s not just a helpful tool; it can also make your words more powerful and memorable.
In literature, parallelism goes beyond just repeating—it can highlight differences, create a rhythmic flow, and even add humour or clever wordplay. Parallelism covers a wide range of speech patterns, each serving a different purpose. But be cautious, as making mistakes in parallelism can make your writing sound awkward or confusing.
To enhance your writing skills, embrace parallelism. Learn from examples found in famous speeches, movies, and books. They showcase how this technique can elevate language and captivate an audience. So, whether you’re a speaker, writer, or both, understanding and using parallelism can significantly enhance your communication.
What is Parallelism?
Parallelism refers to a writing technique where similar or repeated words, phrases, clauses, or sentence structures are used in a parallel manner. An easy-to-grasp example is the well-known saying, “Easy come, easy go.” This figure of speech helps emphasize or contrast elements effectively, bringing balance, rhythm and improved readability.
It’s important to note that parallelism extends beyond mere word repetition. In the expression, “You are a fool, a fool, a fool!” there’s repetition, but it lacks grammatical parallelism. True parallelism involves repeating grammatical elements or maintaining a consistent sentence structure. For instance, the saying “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” showcases parallelism by repeating the structure “Fool me… shame on…” This literary device enhances the overall flow of writing, making it more comprehensible and engaging.
Different Types of Parallelism
In the world of literature, there are special words to talk about literary tools that create specific kinds of parallelism. Let’s explore some of them:
1. Saying it Again with Anaphora: Anaphora is a fancy word that means “carrying back.” This type of parallelism repeats words at the start of a sentence to make them stand out. For example, “In time we will prevail, in time we will be victorious.”
2. Putting Opposites Together with Antithesis: Antithesis is when two opposite things are put together to show a contrast. This can happen in a parallel way, like in the phrase, “Man proposes, God disposes.”
3. Leaving Out the Connectors with Asyndeton: Asyndeton means “unconnected” and involves leaving out connectors on purpose in a series of related sentences or ideas. Each part can still be parallel. For instance, Julius Caesar’s “Veni, vici, vici” is an example of asyndetic parallelism. The opposite is syndeton, where coordinating conjunctions are repeated.
4. Building up with Climax: Climax organizes parallel elements in a way that increases in greatness or importance. It’s like a ladder going up. An example is found in Shakespeare’s Richard II: “O’erthrows thy joys, friends, fortune, and thy state.”
5. Ending Strong with Epistrophe: Epistrophe, also called epiphora, is the opposite of anaphora. It repeats a word or phrase at the end of a sentence, making that part more powerful. Barack Obama used this in his “Yes we can” speech, where each parallel sentence ended with this emphatic phrase.
6. Mixing it Up with Symploce: Symploce combines anaphora and epiphora. It repeats words or phrases both at the beginning and end of a series of parallel constructions.
Also Read: What Are The 14 Punctuation Marks for Effective English Writing?
What is Parallelism in Grammar?
Parallelism in grammar is about making sentences easy and enjoyable to read by ensuring that there is a consistent structure, especially in lists. It is also called parallel structure or parallel construction. Let’s explore this concept further with examples.
In writing, it’s important to maintain parallelism for clarity and coherence. Parallelism involves using the same grammatical structure for similar elements within a sentence, particularly when forming lists. This helps readers follow the flow of information smoothly.
Let’s take a look at an example to understand the impact of parallelism:
Original sentence with faulty parallelism: “The finale was illogical, rushed, and it disappointed.” (Two adjectives and a verb.)
Rewritten sentence with successful parallelism: “The finale was illogical, rushed, and disappointing.” (Three adjectives.)
In the faulty parallelism example, the elements in the list—illogical, rushed, and it disappointed—do not have consistent grammatical structures. In the revised version with successful parallelism, all three elements share the same structure, creating a more harmonious and readable sentence.
Applying parallelism in your writing is not limited to lists; it extends to various elements within a sentence. Whether it’s a series of nouns, verbs, adjectives, or prepositional phrases, maintaining parallel structure enhances the overall quality of your writing.
Consider the following example:
Faulty parallelism: “She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride bicycles.” (Mixed structure with a gerund, an infinitive, and an infinitive.) Successful parallelism: “She enjoys hiking, swimming, and riding bicycles.” (Consistent use of gerunds.)
In this case, the faulty parallelism results from the inconsistent use of verb forms in the list. The revised version maintains a parallel structure by using gerunds (the -ing form) for all the activities, resulting in a more cohesive sentence.
What is Parallelism in Literature?
Parallelism is a tool that writers use to make their writing more effective. It’s not just about how sentences are built; it’s also a way to create emphasis and highlight ideas. One way writers use parallelism is through a technique called “anaphora,” where they repeat a word or a group of words at the beginning of successive clauses.
Parallelism can go beyond repetition. It can also be used to showcase contrasting ideas by placing them side by side within a sentence. A famous example of this is Neil Armstrong’s statement when he first set foot on the moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Here, the parallel structure emphasizes the small step taken by an individual (man) in contrast to the monumental leap made for all of humanity (mankind).
In simpler terms, parallelism helps writers create a rhythmic and balanced flow in their writing. It adds a touch of style and draws attention to specific points, making the message more impactful. So, the next time you read something and notice repeated words or ideas presented side by side, you’re likely encountering the literary device of parallelism in action.
Also Read: What is Indirect Characterization and Examples?
Why Do Writers Use Parallelism in Their Writing?
Writers employ parallelism, along with other literary tools like assonance and alliteration, to make their writing smooth and rhythmic. Parallelism is a favourite among speakers, making sentence structures simpler and helping them captivate an audience for extended periods. This allows speakers to convey their message in easy-to-understand terms, holding the listeners’ attention.
Parallelism is also handy when a writer aims to highlight connections between two or more ideas. It facilitates the creation of comparisons or contrasts between different things, enhancing the clarity and impact of the writer’s message. In essence, the purpose of using parallelism is to enhance the overall flow, rhythm, and clarity of the written or spoken word.
Examples of Parallelism
Parallel structure is a common linguistic tool found in everyday expressions, proverbs, speeches, and literature. Here are a few examples:
Memorable Speeches and Their Parallelism
Great orators throughout history have utilized parallel structures to make their speeches impactful and memorable. One notable example is Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, where he employed epistrophe in the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech featured parallelism with repeated phrases at the beginning of sentences, creating an impactful epistrophe. President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961 showcased a striking contrast in parallel structure: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
Even beyond politics, Neil Armstrong’s historic moon landing statement, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” exemplifies parallelism, emphasizing the significance of the moment and collective achievement.
Parallelism in Film
In cinema, parallelism serves as a powerful visual and narrative tool. Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” skillfully employs cross-cutting to depict simultaneous actions across different dream levels. Parallel editing, as seen in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “The Fugitive,” can intentionally mislead audiences, adding suspense and surprise to the storyline.
As a screenwriter, the use of parallel structures is not limited to visual techniques. In Batman’s story, his fight against crime parallels his parents’ victimization, adding depth and resonance to the narrative. “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” and TV shows like “Lost” and “House” incorporate parallelism in plot development, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
Literary Parallelism
Parallel structure is a potent literary device, and examples abound in famous literary works. Alexander Pope’s famous line, “To err is human, to forgive, divine,” showcases parallelism by omitting verb repetition in the second clause. Charles Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities” opens with a parallel structure that contrasts two opposing situations, effectively setting the tone for the narrative.
In William Shakespeare’s play on Julius Caesar, the character Brutus justifies his actions in a parallel structure, rationalizing Caesar’s traits and his decision to slay him. George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” features parallelism with inverted wording to highlight a choice, illustrating the impact of parallel structure in conveying complex ideas.
How to Improve Your Writing with Parallel Structures
Using parallelism in your writing can make it clearer and more concise. Parallel structures help by shortening sentences and making them easier to read. When you balance your sentences, you create a sense of harmony and satisfaction, highlighting similarities or contrasts between two things. Parallelism allows you to play with the rhythm of your sentences.
In screenwriting, parallelism is not just about rhythm; it can also enhance the pacing of your script. You can inter-cut fast and slow action to create dynamic scenes. Connecting details in a parallel way makes them stand out, giving your story a logical flow and structure. Whether you want to emphasize similarities or contrasts, parallelism is a valuable tool for improving your writing and making it more engaging.
