Parallelism Graceful Writing

Definition In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel structure, is a balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure The application of parallelism improves writing styles and readability, and is thought to make sentences easier to process

Faulty Parallelism If joined sentence parts are not balanced/equal, faulty parallelism has occurred Simple example: FAULTY: I love singing, going to the mall and to run. REVISED: I love singing, shopping and running. REVISED: I love to sing, to shop and to run.

FAULTY: Bill lectured on planting and how to harvest FAULTY: Bill lectured on planting and how to harvest. (noun joined to phrase) REVISED: Bill lectured on planting and harvesting.

FAULTY: I know the answer and what it signifies FAULTY: I know the answer and what it signifies. (noun joined to a clause) REVISED: I know the answer and its significance.

FAULTY: The teacher asked us to help decorate the gym and if we could get the materials. (phrase joined to a clause) REVISED: The teacher asked us if we could help decorate the gym and if we could get the materials.

Types of Parallelism CHIASMUS: balanced clauses with reversed words EXAMPLE: “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” (John F. Kennedy)

Types of Parallelism ANTITHESIS: balanced clauses that contrast EXAMPLE: You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.

Types of Parallelism CLIMACTIC: the words form a rising order of importance EXAMPLE: The bank robbery went perfectly: the plan, the stakeout, the hold-up, an finally, the clean getaway. This could be used to create a periodic sentence: Considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters, I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada.