Writing with Concord: Parallel Structure

Parallel structure

Review A

Review B

Expressing related ideas in similar forms keeps writing on track.

Parallel structure

Like railroad tracks, these similar forms are said to be parallel.

Parallel structure is the arrangement of similar parts of a sentence, or group of sentences, in similar grammatical forms.

“Give me liberty, or I would rather die!”

Parallel structure

Many famous quotations and sayings have parallel structure.

When Patrick Henry addressed the Virginia House of Burgesses, he did not say

Instead, he used parallelstructure.

“Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Many familiar sayings are memorable in part because they use parallel structure.

Parallel structure

All work without playing makes Jack a dull boy.Not parallel??noun + adjective

prepositionalphrase

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.Parallel

noun + adjective

noun + adjective

Parallel structure

Here is a famous saying of Benjamin Franklin’s written without parallel structure.

Going to bed early and to rise early makes a manhealthy, have wealth, and in possession of wisdom.

What makes the original saying parallel?

Early to bed and early to rise makes a manhealthy, wealthy, and wise.

early (adverb) + infinitive

adjectives

Parallel structure

[End of Section]

On Your Own

Identify which structures are parallel in the followingsayings and proverbs. Be prepared to explain how they are parallel.

1. The end justifies the means.

2. Good fences make good neighbors.

3. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

4. If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

Review A

Find five other examples of parallel structure in proverbs, nursery rhymes, slogans, poems, and songs.

Review B

Now, write three of your own sayings, making sure that each is parallel in structure.

The End