Parallel To The Bold Word

Parallel to the Bold Word: Understanding and Applying Parallelism in Writing

Parallelism, or parallel structure, is a powerful tool in writing that enhances clarity, readability, and impact. It involves using the same grammatical structure for similar items in a sentence or series of sentences. Mastering parallelism allows you to create sentences that are not only grammatically correct but also aesthetically pleasing and persuasive. This article will delve deep into the intricacies of parallelism, exploring its various forms, benefits, and how to effectively implement it in your writing. Understanding and utilizing parallelism will significantly elevate your writing skills, making your communication more concise and impactful.

Understanding Parallel Structure: The Basics

At its core, parallelism is about balance. It's about ensuring that elements in a sentence or list that are of equal importance are presented in a consistent grammatical form. This consistency can be in terms of:

• Parts of speech: Nouns should be paired with nouns, verbs with verbs, adjectives with adjectives, and so on.
• Phrases: Prepositional phrases should be paired with prepositional phrases, participial phrases with participial phrases, and so on.
• Clauses: Independent clauses should be paired with independent clauses, dependent clauses with dependent clauses.

Consider this simple example: "She enjoys swimming, hiking, and to read." This sentence is not parallel because it mixes a gerund ("swimming," "hiking") with an infinitive ("to read"). The corrected parallel structure would be: "She enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading." Notice the consistent use of gerunds.

Types of Parallelism

Parallelism isn't limited to simple lists. It can be applied in various contexts within a sentence:

• Lists or Series: This is the most common use of parallelism. It creates a rhythmic and memorable flow when listing items. Example: "The candidate promised lower taxes, improved education, and a stronger national defense."

• Comparisons using "like" or "as": When comparing two things using "like" or "as," ensure the grammatical structures on both sides are parallel. Example: "He is as strong as an ox and as swift as a deer." (Incorrect: "He is as strong as an ox and swift like a deer.")

• Correlative Conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions (e.g., both…and, not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor) require parallel structures following each conjunction. Example: "She is not only intelligent but also creative."

• Compound Predicates: When a sentence has multiple verbs sharing the same subject, those verbs should be parallel. Example: "He ran quickly, jumped over the fence, and landed gracefully."

The Benefits of Using Parallelism

Using parallel structure offers numerous advantages for your writing:

• Clarity: Parallelism makes your writing easier to understand. By using consistent grammatical structures, you avoid ambiguity and confusion. Readers can easily grasp the relationships between the items in a list or the elements in a comparison.

• Emphasis: Parallelism emphasizes the items being listed or compared. The consistent structure draws attention to their equal importance. This creates a powerful and memorable effect.

• Flow and Rhythm: Parallel structures create a smoother and more pleasing rhythm in your writing. This makes your sentences more engaging and easier to read. The repetition of grammatical structures creates a sense of balance and harmony.

• Conciseness: While not always directly resulting in fewer words, parallelism often leads to more concise expression by eliminating unnecessary repetition. It streamlines the message, making it more efficient and impactful.

• Persuasiveness: Parallelism can be highly persuasive. The consistent structure and emphasis create a sense of authority and confidence. This can be especially effective in arguments, speeches, and other forms of persuasive writing.

Common Errors to Avoid

Several common mistakes can hinder the effectiveness of parallelism:

• Mixing parts of speech: As mentioned earlier, ensure consistency in the grammatical form of listed items. Avoid mixing gerunds, infinitives, and noun phrases without careful consideration.

• Inconsistent prepositional phrases: When using prepositional phrases, ensure the prepositions are consistent. For instance, don't mix "in the garden" with "at the park".

• Incorrect use of correlative conjunctions: Remember to maintain parallel structure after each part of a correlative conjunction.

• Faulty comparisons: Comparisons using "like" or "as" must maintain parallel structures on both sides.

How to Improve Parallelism in Your Writing

Improving your use of parallelism involves practice and attention to detail. Here are some practical steps:

1. Identify the items needing parallel structure: Before revising, carefully examine sentences with lists, comparisons, or multiple verbs to identify the elements that need to be parallel.

2. Determine the correct grammatical form: Once identified, decide on the appropriate grammatical form for all items (gerunds, infinitives, noun phrases, etc.).

3. Rewrite for parallelism: Rewrite the sentence or phrase to ensure consistent grammatical structure for all the elements.

4. Read aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you detect awkward or unbalanced phrasing that might indicate a lack of parallelism. Your ear can often pick up inconsistencies that your eyes might miss.

5. Seek feedback: Ask a friend, colleague, or writing instructor to review your work and provide feedback on your use of parallelism.

Parallelism in Different Writing Styles

Parallelism is not just a grammar rule; it's a stylistic choice. Its application varies depending on the writing style and intended audience.

• Formal Writing: In formal writing, strict adherence to parallel structure is crucial. In academic papers, legal documents, and other formal contexts, maintaining perfect parallelism enhances credibility and precision.

• Informal Writing: While less stringent, parallelism still enhances clarity and readability in informal writing. However, minor deviations might be acceptable to maintain a more conversational tone.

• Creative Writing: In creative writing, parallelism can be used for stylistic effect. Breaking the rules of parallelism can sometimes create emphasis or a sense of deliberate disruption. However, this should be done consciously and intentionally, not as a result of carelessness.

• Technical Writing: Precision is paramount in technical writing. Parallelism ensures accuracy in conveying complex information. Consistent grammatical structures help avoid ambiguity and misinterpretations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is parallelism necessary in all writing?

A: While not always strictly required, parallelism significantly improves clarity, readability, and impact in most writing contexts. It is particularly crucial in formal writing and technical documentation.

Q: How can I identify parallelism errors?

A: Look for inconsistencies in grammatical structures within lists, comparisons, and sentences with multiple verbs. Pay attention to the use of correlative conjunctions. Reading aloud can also help you identify awkward phrases.

Q: Can I use different tenses in a parallel structure?

A: Generally, it's best to maintain consistent tense within a parallel structure. However, there might be exceptions if you are describing a sequence of events in different tenses.

Q: How do I handle exceptions to parallelism?

A: While striving for parallelism is generally advisable, there may be rare instances where breaking the rule adds emphasis or stylistic flair. However, such instances should be deliberate, not accidental.

Q: What resources can help me improve my understanding of parallelism?

A: Numerous grammar handbooks and style guides extensively cover parallelism. Online resources and writing workshops also provide valuable guidance.

Conclusion

Parallelism is a fundamental element of effective writing. Mastering it transforms your writing from merely grammatically correct to engaging, persuasive, and impactful. By understanding the principles of parallelism and practicing its application, you can significantly enhance the clarity, flow, and overall quality of your writing. It's an investment that will benefit you in all your writing endeavors, from academic essays to creative stories, and everything in between. So take the time to learn, practice, and master this invaluable writing tool. The rewards will be well worth the effort.