How to Write Parallelism: A Guide
Parallelism is a powerful tool in writing that adds rhythm, emphasis, and clarity to your sentences and paragraphs. Here's how to master this literary device:
1. Understand the Basics:
* Definition: Parallelism is the use of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas. It's like a mirror reflecting similar sentence patterns.
* Key Elements: Parallelism works by aligning words, phrases, or clauses that have the same grammatical structure.
2. Types of Parallelism:
* Words: "He was bold, brave, and bright."
* Phrases: "She was walking her dog, feeding her cat, and watering her plants."
* Clauses: "While she was cooking, he was cleaning, and they were talking."
3. How to Achieve Parallelism:
* Identify the Core Structure: Determine the basic structure of your sentence or phrase.
* Repeat the Structure: Use the same grammatical structure for each element you want to highlight.
* Use Consistent Parts of Speech: Maintain the same grammatical units (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) throughout.
* Keep the Tenses Consistent: Avoid mixing present and past tenses unless it's intentional.
4. Examples of Parallelism in Literature:
* "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
* "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity..." (Charles Dickens, *A Tale of Two Cities*)
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid:
* Mismatched Elements: "He was athletic, a good student, and he enjoyed music." (The third element is a clause, not a noun.)
* Faulty Comparisons: "Working hard is more important than a good education." (Parallelism should compare similar items, e.g., "working hard" with "studying diligently.")
6. Benefits of Parallelism:
* Enhances Rhythm and Flow: Creates a pleasing musical quality in your writing.
* Emphasizes Ideas: Highlights important elements by making them stand out.
* Improves Clarity: Makes your writing easier to understand by arranging elements in a logical way.
* Adds Elegance: Enhances the overall impact and beauty of your writing.
Practice Makes Perfect:
By consistently practicing parallelism, you can master this powerful tool and elevate your writing to new heights. Experiment with different structures, read works by renowned authors, and pay close attention to the rhythm and impact created by parallelism.