3.6 Parallelism
Parallelism is a technique in which the writer achieves a balance of ideas through a balanced sentence structure. Two or more words or constructions stand in identical grammatical relationship to the same thing. In striving to parallel ideas, the writer must ensure that "like" is being compared with "like". Its use allows the writer to emphasise important points and achieve coherence.
In addition, parallel sentences have two notable advantages. They bring rhythm and order to the written word and provide an economical means of using one grammatical form to express two or more elements.
Examples
Marxists regard social stratification as a devisive element whereas functionalism considers social stratification as a stabilising factor.
Here the writer is attempting to compare the adherents of a theory, namely, Marxists, a group of people, to a theory, namely, functionalism, a system of ideas. "Like" must be compared with "Like". So the writer must either opt to compare two groups of people or two theories and achieve a balanced statement.
It should read
Marxists regard social stratification as a devisive element whereas functionalists consider social stratification as a stablising factor.
An alternative
Marxism regards social stratification as a devisive element whereas functionalism considers social stratification as a stabilising factor.
When the writer is using more than one noun with a preposition, the nouns can be expressed in a series and the preposition need not be repeated after the first time. See the example below.
Example
The directives for the course were sent to the designers, the department and interested parties.
When creating a sentence in which ideas are paralleled, the writer must be careful to use the same grammatical form for each part.
Example
The dictator began a vigorous campaign to eliminate all upper class officials, to install his own appointees and to disseminate his wishes.
(Note how the infinitive form has been consistently used throughout the sentence and introduces rhythm, order and economy into the sentence.)
The writer’s sequencing of verbs has the effect of analysing an event and establishing its progress. This usage also focuses the sentence on action.
Example
A country’s flag should be raised briskly, lowered ceremoniously and never allowed to touch the ground.
The corporation agreed to recall the cars and make the repairs, or refund the cost of replacement.
Note how there is a rhythm in both sentences created by the sequencing of the same verb form which produces an analysis of progress.