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Mastering Parallel Structures: A Guide to Effective Writing

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  1. Parallel Structures AP

  2. 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.

  3. 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?

  4. 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?

  5. 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?

  6. 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.

  7. 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?

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

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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!

  12. 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.

  13. Practice • Page 343 • Exercise 1

  14. 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.

  15. 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!

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