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
Give me
meliberty,
liberty,
or Igive
would
merather
die!
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 Franklins
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