You may not realize that parallelism in writing can take your creative prowess to the next level. One of many literary devices and grammar principles, writers use parallelism in writing for diverse reasons.
Some characters may contribute many lines of dialogue that focus on parallelism. Some writers may exclude this device from all dialogue and instead, subtly weave it into the narration.
No matter why you choose to use parallelism in your writing, it’s crucial to understand exactly what it is. While you can use literary devices without knowing their technical term, understanding their background, particularly in parallelism, will help you use it more effectively.
This Guide To Parallelism In Writing Covers:
- What Is Parallelism In Writing?
- Why Is It Used?
- Parallelism In Writing: Mistakes To Avoid
- What Is An Example Of Parallelism In Writing?
What Is Parallelism In Writing?
Parallelism in writing is simply a technique writers use to highlight the similarity within a sentence or phrase. This device pairs similar elements within a sentence to draw readers’ focus to a specific idea.
That said, there are many types of parallelism, including:
- Anaphora
- Antithesis
- Asyndeton
- Epistrophe
For our purposes today, let’s think of parallelism as a type of poetry with two variations: grammatical and literary.
In grammar, parallelism manifests as a sentence with a similar structure.
Consider the following example from a grammar perspective: I want to become a better reader, writer, and author.
However, as a literary device, parallelism showcases itself in other ways.
For instance, you could use parallelism in writing to reveal the similarities of two interactions or to show the dichotomy of the character development between your hero and villain.
Now that you understand more about what parallelism in writing is, why exactly do writers use it?
Why Is It Used?
Writers use parallelism in writing to reveal the correlation between two objects, characters, ideas, etc. A simple way to remember its use is in the spelling of the word itself. Notice how the word parallelism contains two “l’s” right next to each other: parallelism.
While parallelism most frequently shines a spotlight on two parallel aspects (hence, the name), you can also use it to spotlight opposites.
Consider William Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It. Shakespeare writes the following:
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
William Shakespeare
Parallelism in this form of writing reveals the difference between two types of people.
Writers can use it to highlight the character motivation of their protagonist, or to simply showcase their unique writing style.
The book of Proverbs, in the Bible, is specifically known for its style of parallelism.
Parallelism In Writing: Mistakes To Avoid
If you wonder how to write a book with parallelism you need to understand both how to use it and how not to use it. There are several mistakes to avoid when you choose to use parallelism in writing.
Remember Numerical Importance
Parallelism uses aspects of grammar that are similar to each other. Because of this, when you incorporate this device into your writing, make sure your grammar matches in number.
Look at the two sentences below. Pay attention to the use of singular and plural in both examples.
Wrong: I want to have brownies, cookies, and a sundae for the bridal shower.
Right: I want to have brownies, cookies, and sundaes for the bridal shower.
Watch Out For The Form Of Your Verbs
To dive into further detail, pay attention to the form of the verbs you choose to use.
Wrong: I go running, swimming, and lift to stay in shape.
Right: I run, swim, and lift to stay in shape.
Do you see how the second example portrays the same point while using verb forms correctly?
What Is An Example Of Parallelism In Writing?
One of the most iconic examples of parallelism in writing comes from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Dickens chose a great sentence to start his classic. As you choose the best sentences to start a story, take time to note the coming examples. I mentioned above that there are many forms of parallelism in writing.
Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, you can start your story with a great line of parallelism.
The creativity of this device lends itself to a variety of uses. However, choosing the best way for your story is what matters. To help you with this, I include the following list.
Fun challenge: See if you can pinpoint which types of parallelism writers use in these examples.
“Song of Myself,” Walt Whitman
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Notice how King used parallelism in his speech to show contrast rather than similarity.
Forrest Gump
“Stupid is as stupid does.”
Proverb
“Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.”
Common Sayings
“No pain, no gain.”
“Like father, like son.”
“It takes one to know one.”
You can see that parallelism in writing takes many forms. Writers choose to include it in a common saying, simple line of dialogue, or as a poetic phrase. There are so many examples of parallelism to choose from that simply deciding to incorporate this form of writing is a creative choice in and of itself.
Tip: When you layer parallelism into your writing, be cognizant that how you use it parallels your characters (see what I did there?).
For example, let’s say you write about a student meeting a professor in her office to discuss his grades. Let’s say the student is a freshman. In addition, he is a first-generation college student who barely got in.
The professor earned her doctorate in literature and has published many scholarly articles, along with several books.
If your student quoted the parallelism in Whitman’s poem above, it would seem odd. However, if your character with a doctorate in literature quoted the same lines, it would feel fitting.
When you layer parallelism into your work, ensure it both fits the genre you write and the voice of your characters.
Take Your Next Step Today
Learning how to use parallelism in your writing is one of the many exciting steps you’ll take as an author. Remember, parallelism uses all types of words to create emotional impact.
But, if you’re anything like me, sometimes you wonder what’s the best word to use. If you resonate with this, you’ll love the free resource below. This Strong Verbs List will help you instantly make your writing better. This isn’t just any list. With more than 300 verbs to choose from, you’re bound to take your parallelism to the next level!
Learning to write well means incorporating the various lessons you learn into each sentence and phrase. Sometimes, one or two strong verbs are all you need to craft that next compelling line.
Download the resource below and use it as you get back to writing!
