Parallel Structure, Persona, and Speaker
Parallel Structure Parallel Structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at three levels: Word Phrase Clause
Words and Phrases Incorrect: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Correct: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
Examples Continued Incorrect Angry ants, munched the marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop Correct Angry ants, munching marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop.
Clauses Parallel structure that begins with clauses must continue on with clauses. Incorrect: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. Correct: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game
Lists after a colon Incorrect: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Correct: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs
Other things to watch for… Use parallel structure with pairs of words or ideas. Examples: Granny’s method was tried and true. Man proposes. God disposes.
Persona persona, plural personae: in literature, the person who is understood to be speaking (or thinking or writing) a particular work. The persona is almost invariably distinct from the author; it is the voice chosen by the author for a particular artistic purpose. The persona may be a character in the work or merely an unnamed narrator; but, insofar as the manner and style of expression in the work exhibit taste, prejudice, emotion, or other characteristics of a human personality, the work may be said to be in the voice of a persona.
Speaker vs. Persona A speaker in a work of literature is a character that says things and does actions based on the (intended by the author) personality of that character. A persona in a work of literature is a bit different because the persona is just basically a mouthpiece for a world view, which is different than a speaker because a speaker acts and speaks according to the intended personality, not a world or universal view.