Arjay Tejamo Tuanda

1st year student

Bachelor of Science in Criminology
University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan

Parallelism- is a literary and rhetorical device that involves using similar grammatical
structures, patterns, or ideas in successive phrases, sentences, or paragraphs. It is a technique
employed to create balance, rhythm, and symmetry in writing or speech. Parallelism often
involves the repetition of words, phrases, or clauses to convey a sense of harmony and emphasis.
Parallelism serves several purposes in communication. It enhances the clarity and coherence
of a text by organizing ideas in a structured and balanced manner. It also creates a rhythmic flow
that engages the reader or listener and adds aesthetic appeal to the writing. Parallelism can
emphasize key points, draw attention to important ideas, and make the message more
memorable.
To create parallelism, writers and speakers often use parallel grammatical structures such as
parallel clauses, parallel phrases, or parallel lists. By maintaining consistent grammatical
patterns, parallelism helps to establish a sense of symmetry and unity within a sentence or a
larger piece of writing.
Here's an example of parallelism using parallel clauses:
“Not only was he brave, but he was also compassionate.”
In this sentence, the parallel clauses “was he brave” and “was he compassionate” are
structured in the same way, using the same verb and subject order. This parallel structure
enhances the balance and impact of the sentence.

Parallelism is a rhetorical device that involves using similar grammatical structures or

patterns to create balance and rhythm in a sentence or a larger piece of writing. It adds emphasis,
clarity, and flow to the text. Here are some examples of parallelism in different contexts:
1. Literature:
- “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of
foolishness.” – Charles Dickens
2. Speeches and Quotations:
- “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – John F.
Kennedy
 - “I came, I saw, I conquered.” – Julius Caesar
3. Proverbs and Sayings:
- “Easy come, easy go.”
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
4. Song Lyrics:
- “I will survive, I will endure.” – Gloria Gaynor
- “She’s living in a world, and it’s on fire.” – Billie Eilish
5. Advertising Slogans:
- “Just do it.” – Nike
- “The quicker picker-upper.” – Bounty
6. Historical Documents:
- “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness.” – Declaration of Independence
7. Political Speeches:
- “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln
- “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not
be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King
Jr.

These examples demonstrate the use of parallelism in various forms of communication,

including literature, speeches, quotes, proverbs, songs, advertising, historical documents, and
political addresses. Parallelism helps to create a sense of rhythm, reinforce ideas, and make a
lasting impact on the audience.
Parallelism is a powerful tool that adds elegance, clarity, and impact to writing and speech
by creating a sense of balance, rhythm, and symmetry through the use of parallel grammatical
structures or ideas.