College Composition / Unit 29 CMP 0703 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Parallelism as a Device
Captions available
The idea
Parallel structure repeats a pattern of words to show that ideas are equally significant, creating balance and memorability.
In practice
A sentence that sets two clauses in matching form, reversing their terms, calls attention to both ideas and makes the statement easy to remember.
Where people slip
In analysis, ask what the balanced form makes the reader see as equal or opposed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for College Composition