Parallelism — English definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- Repeating a grammatical structure for rhythm and emphasis. (English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry)
- Repeating the same grammatical form across a series of related words, phrases, or clauses to create balance and rhythm. (English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences)
Where it is taught
- Rhetorical & Literary Devices — Argument & Rhetoric, English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry, Grade 9
- Syntax & Rhetorical Style — Language, Style & Conventions, English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences, Grade 10
In use
Repetition hammers a word or phrase again and again so it lodges in memory, while parallelism repeats a grammatical pattern to create rhythm — 'real breakfasts, real lunches, real choices.
Rhetorical & Literary Devices
Parallelism — repeating the same grammatical form across a series — is the single most powerful pattern in this toolkit.
Syntax & Rhetorical Style
Questions using parallelism
Problem 1
Explain how parallelism (repeating a grammatical pattern) can make an argument more persuasive, even without adding new evidence.
Answer and explanation
Parallelism creates rhythm and makes ideas feel connected and inevitable, which makes the argument more memorable and confident-sounding, even though it doesn't add any new facts.