Parallel Structures Sarah Gale February 25 th, 2015

Jaws Theme Song (stop at 2 min) As you listen, jot down some notes: 1) What sticks out to you about this song? What was your reaction? 2) Why do you think it is so famous? 3) What characteristics of the song make it so affective as a film score?

From “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe example of literal repetition “I gasped for breath—and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observation of the men—but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! What could I do?”

Parallel Structure Refers to identical grammatical structures that add rhythm and balance to images. Gives prose a musical quality that adds emphasis and sound to central images. Different categories: Literal Repetition (repeating exact words/phrases) Grammatical Repetition (repeating rhythmic patterns) Literal and grammatical repetition (combination of both)

From “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe example of literal repetition “I gasped for breath—and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observation of the men—but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! What could I do?”

Star Trek Intro Example of combination literal/grammatical repetition “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before!”

Star Trek Intro How would this be different? (stronger, weaker, more or less effective): “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations. We will be bold, and go where no man has gone before!”

Try it! Write down what your goals are for this school year by listing them using parallel structure. Use the Star Trek intro as your model: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before!” For example: Senior year: the ultimate challenge. This is the end of my childhood, and the beginning of the rest of my life. My final resolutions: to complete every assignment, to establish life-long friendships, to become a shocker basketball player!

References Noden, H.R. (2011). Image grammar: Teaching grammar as part of the writing process. 2 nd ed. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Poe, E.A. (1843). The Tell Tale Heart. Retrieved from Roddenberry, G. (1966). Star Trek Intro. Retrieved from Spielberg, S. (1975). Jaws theme song. Retrieved from