Parallelism: How to Use Parallelism in Writing

Introduction

Parallelism, as a literary device, entails the deliberate repetition of grammatical structures, patterns, or syntax to achieve a rhythmic and stylistic effect. This technique fosters symmetry and cohesion within sentences or passages, emphasizing key ideas, enhancing the flow of language, and contributing to the overall aesthetic quality of the text.

How to Create Parallelism in a Fictional Work

Here are some tips on how to create parallelism in a fictional work:

Step	Explanation	Example
Identify Key Ideas or Elements for Emphasis	Determine the concepts, themes, or elements that you want to highlight within your narrative.	Example: In a story about self-discovery, key ideas might include personal growth, inner conflict, and the pursuit of authenticity.
Utilize Grammatical Parallelism for Balance	Employ parallel grammatical structures, such as matching verb tenses, sentence patterns, or clauses, to achieve symmetry and clarity.	Example: “She danced with grace, sang with passion, and spoke with eloquence.”
Employ Antithetical Parallelism for Contrast	Create contrast by juxtaposing opposing ideas using parallel grammatical structures, generating dynamic tension in your prose.	Example: “In wealth, some find poverty; in poverty, some find richness.”
Harness Isocolon for Rhythmic Impact	Utilize isocolon, where clauses or phrases have similar lengths and structures, to establish a rhythmic cadence that resonates with readers.	Example: “His ambition was grand, his determination unyielding, his dreams boundless.”
Experiment with Various Forms of Parallelism	Explore techniques like chiasmus (reversal of grammatical structure), anaphora (repetition at the beginning), or epiphora (repetition at the end) to create diverse effects.	Example: Chiasmus – “To err is human, to forgive divine; divine to err, human to forgive.”
Edit and Revise for Consistency	Review your work to ensure that parallel structures are maintained consistently throughout the narrative, enhancing their impact on the reader.	By incorporating these strategies and refining them through careful editing, you can infuse your fictional work with parallelism that amplifies its coherence, aesthetic appeal, and thematic resonance.

By following these steps and refining your approach through diligent editing, you can seamlessly integrate parallelism into your fictional work, augmenting its cohesion, aesthetic allure, and thematic depth.Top of Form

Benefits of Parallelism

There are several benefits of using parallelism in writing:

Benefits of Parallelism

1. Clarity: Parallelism helps convey ideas clearly by maintaining a consistent structure and rhythm in sentences. It prevents confusion and aids comprehension.
   1. Example: “She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling.” In this sentence, the parallel structure of the list (“hiking,” “swimming,” “cycling”) makes it easy to understand the activities she enjoys.
2. Emphasis: Parallelism draws attention to key points in your writing by presenting them in a similar format. It emphasizes the importance of the ideas being presented.
   1. Example: “We must face challenges with courage, tackle obstacles with determination, and overcome adversity with resilience.” Here, the repeated “with” construction emphasizes the qualities needed to overcome challenges.
3. Memorability: Parallelism creates a memorable impact on the reader, making the content more likely to be retained and recalled later.
   1. Example: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” The parallel repetition in this famous line from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” makes it memorable and quotable.
4. Aesthetics: Parallelism enhances the aesthetic quality of writing, making it sound more balanced, rhythmic, and pleasing to the ear.
   1. Example: “Easy come, easy go.” The parallel structure of this phrase contributes to its catchy, rhythmic quality.
5. Persuasion: Parallelism can be persuasive by creating a persuasive cadence that resonates with readers, making arguments more compelling.
   1. Example: “We will fight for justice, for equality, and for a better future.” The repetition of “for” emphasizes the causes being fought for and adds persuasive impact.

Remember, the key to effectively using parallelism is maintaining consistent grammatical and structural patterns within sentences or lists.

Parallelism and Literary Theory

Type of Literary Theory	Critique of Parallelism
Formalism	Critics argue that an overreliance on parallelism may result in a lack of originality and creativity in literary works, as it can lead to formulaic and predictable writing styles.
Structuralism	Some structuralist theorists argue that an excessive use of parallelism oversimplifies complex meanings and overlook the intricacies and ambiguities present in a text.
Deconstruction	Deconstructionists may challenge parallelism as a fixed and stable form, instead emphasizing the destabilizing effects of language and the presence of contradictory meanings.
Feminist Theory	Feminist critics may point out that parallelism has historically reinforced traditional gender roles and binaries, limiting the representation and agency of marginalized voices.
Postcolonial Theory	Postcolonial theorists may critique parallelism for perpetuating power imbalances by replicating colonial structures and hierarchies in literary works.
New Historicism	Scholars influenced by New Historicism may criticize parallelism for overlooking historical and cultural contexts, neglecting the complexities of social and political dynamics.
Reader-Response Theory	Some reader-response theorists argue that an excessive use of parallelism may limit readers’ interpretations and restrict their engagement with a text, reducing it to a single meaning.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Wadsworth Publishing, 2008.
2. Baldick, Chris. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford University Press, 2004.
3. Brooks, Cleanth, and Robert Penn Warren. Understanding Poetry. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000.
4. Cuddon, J. A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
5. DiYanni, Robert. Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. McGraw-Hill, 2019.
6. Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Pearson, 2017.
7. Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. University of California Press, 1991.
8. Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2020.
9. Preminger, Alex, et al., editors. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 2012.
10. Roberts, Edgar V., and Henry E. Jacobs. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Pearson, 2017.