Parallel form refers to using the same grammatical sentence structure for two different parts of a single statement. This structure places similar words or types of words in similar positions with each part of the sentence. For instance, in the statement, “Sarah enjoyed exercising, jogging through the park and walking along the beach,” the statements “jogging through the park” and “walking along the beach” use a parallel style – a verb and prepositional phrase. Parallel forms can connect parts of a sentence or two different sentences that are next to each other in a paragraph.
Many readers have an awareness of grammatical structure, either conscious or subconscious, which is the reason why poorly constructed sentences can distract readers or confuse an author’s point. Parallel creative writing uses this awareness to present information in a form that readers are more willing to accept and easily follow across the page. Parallel writing is structurally pleasing, presenting ideas in a form a reader enjoys reading.
The parallel creative writing structure adds a memorable quality to the text, making it easier for readers to remember and recall later. Because of this quality, many of history’s most significant public speakers used this technique. For instance, in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he used the parallel structure to deliver the impactful statement, “With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
Some authors use long strings of parallel writing, creating a rhythm in the reader’s mind. As a creative writing element, this adds a poetic element to the prose. As an example, in Charles Dickens classic novel “A Tale of Two Cities,” the author begins the novel with a long series of stark contrasts, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” Dickens’ first paragraph uses the parallel grammar structure, creating a specific rhythm for readers. Often, when people read this section aloud, their voices tend to fall into this poetic rhythm.