Writing with Concord: Parallel Structure
Parallel structure
Review A
Review B
Parallel structure
Expressing related ideas in similar forms keeps
writing on track.
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.
Parallel structure
Many famous quotations and sayings have parallel
structure.
When Patrick Henry addressed the Virginia
House of Burgesses, he did not say
“Give
or
“Give me
meliberty,
liberty,
Iorwould
rather
die!”
give me
death!”
Instead, he used parallel
structure.
Parallel structure
Many familiar sayings are memorable in part
because they use parallel structure.
?
Not parallel
Parallel
All work without playing makes Jack a dull boy.
noun +
adjective
prepositional
phrase
All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.
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 man
healthy, have wealth, and in possession of wisdom.
What makes the original saying parallel?
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man
healthy, wealthy, and wise.
early (adverb) + infinitive
adjectives
Parallel structure
On Your Own
Identify which structures are parallel in the following
sayings 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.
[End of Section]
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