Parallel Structures AP

What is it? Sentences or parts of them are parallel when structures within them take the same form. Parallelism can be at the level of words, phrases, or clauses.

Parallel words Why should we live with such hurry and with such waste of life? Henry David Thoreau What's parallel? Hurry and waste.....both nouns and both follow preposition "with" In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. Thoreau True and sublime...both adjectives that modify (describe) "something" How would each sentence look without parallelism?

Parallel phrases This is more difficult because there is no zeitgeist to read, no template to follow, no mask to wear. Anna Quindlen It has truly been said that never in history have so many educated people devoted so much attention to so few children. Jane Howard What's parallel?

Parallel clauses Where I lived, and what I lived for. Thoreau We perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. Thoreau What's parallel?

So what's a clause? Dependent (subordinate) clause: group of words that has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot be a sentence....it is only a part of a sentence. Ex: When Jim studied in the library.... Independent or main clause: group of words that contain a subject, verb, and express a complete thought. It is a sentence. Ex: Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.

What happens when there is a lack of parallelism? Sentences lack balance and force Ex: Why should we live with such hurry and to waste life? Or Why should we live with such hurry and wasting life?

Why create parallelism? Writers use it to emphasize, contrast, or connect ideas. Specific types of parallelism...

Anaphora Deliberate repetition of word or phrase at beginning of successive clauses But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, and even kill your black brothers and sisters;…when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of nobodiness… MLK Jr. Effect: to make reader wait for the main point in the independent clause

Antithesis Contrast of thoughts in 2 phrases, clauses, or sentences. That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Neil Armstrong One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. MLK Jr. Effect: create clear comparison in order to emphasize the difference between them.

Antimetabole Identical or near repetition of words in one phrase or clause in reverse order in the next phrase or clause Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. JFK He who questions training only trains himself at asking questions. Effect: drama, help audience remember a point, emphasis!

Zeugma Figure of speech made when one part of speech is related to another part of speech in a way that is consistent in terms of grammar but incongruous in terms of meaning. Someone sent me a T shirt not long ago that read “Well-behaved women don’t make history.” They don’t make good lawyers, either, or doctors or businesswomen. Anna Quindlen Effect: create irony, humor, emphasize a point.

Practice Page 343 Exercise 1

When you make YOUR presentation... 15 to 20 minutes including review of a practice exercise. You will be timed. (The class' independent work time will not be counted here.) Must use technology. May also use book in addition. Define any and all terms that may be unfamiliar. You may need to do outside research! Don't assume the class knows any/ all grammar jargon! Provide many samples/examples. Create a 10 question practice exercise for the class. This MAY NOT be from our text. Review it with them upon completion.

Most importantly Know your stuff !! Be ready for questions from the class. I will help clarify difficult concepts as needed, but your group should be prepared. Major assessment!