Parallel Structure by Shmoop

Summary

The video script humorously explores the power of parallel structure in language, using Caesar's 'I came, I saw, I conquered' as a prime example. It emphasizes the importance of consistency in part of speech and the use of helper words for clarity and impact. The script introduces three types of parallelism: infinitives, gerunds, and adverbs, illustrating how maintaining parallel structure can enhance communication, from ruling an empire to writing an essay.

Takeaways

• 📚 Parallel structure is a grammatical device that enhances the impact of a sentence by listing ideas in a consistent manner.
• ✊ The classic example 'I came, I saw, I conquered' demonstrates the power of parallel structure in making a statement memorable.
• 🔗 Parallelism ties together a list of related ideas, often using conjunctions like 'and' or punctuation like commas.
• 🧠 It creates a pattern that makes ideas easier for the reader to understand and remember.
• 🎖️ Parallel structure can make writing sound impressive, which is beneficial in various contexts like leadership or academic writing.
• 📝 The key rule of parallelism is to maintain the same part of speech throughout the list, ensuring consistency.
• 🚫 Avoid mixing parts of speech within a parallel structure, as it can confuse and lose the audience's attention.
• 🔄 Sometimes, parts of speech need to be adjusted to correct broken parallelism and improve the flow of the sentence.
• 📖 There are three common types of parallelism: infinitives ('to' form of verbs), gerunds ('-ing' form used as nouns), and adverb parallelism (words ending in '-ly').
• ✂️ Each type of parallelism has a characteristic suffix or helper word, and maintaining these is crucial for effective parallel structure.
• 🏆 By using parallel structure effectively, one can convey ideas with clarity and power, potentially 'conquering' in their own right without resorting to violence.

Q & A

What is parallel structure and why is it important?

Parallel structure is a grammatical technique where a series of words, phrases, or clauses are of the same form and follow a similar construction. It's important because it creates a pattern that makes the text easier to read, understand, and remember, which is particularly useful in persuasive writing or speeches.

What is the classic example of parallel structure mentioned in the script?

The classic example of parallel structure mentioned is 'I came, I saw, I conquered,' attributed to Julius Caesar.

Why does the script suggest that parallel structure can be powerful in ruling an empire or writing an English paper?

The script implies that parallel structure can be powerful because it makes statements sound more impressive and memorable, which is beneficial when trying to persuade or influence others, as a ruler might do, or when trying to make a strong impact in writing.

What is the first rule of parallelism according to the script?

The first rule of parallelism is to pick a part of speech for your list and stick to it throughout, ensuring consistency in the structure.

What is an example of incorrect parallel structure given in the script?

An example of incorrect parallel structure is: 'Patrick ruined the school production of Julius Caesar by saying his line incorrectly, fainting into Brutus' arms, and his inability to spit out another word.'

How is the example of incorrect parallel structure corrected in the script?

The corrected example is: 'Patrick ruined the school production of Julius Caesar by saying his line wrong, fainting, into Brutus' arms, and blanking on the rest of the script.'

What are the two key aspects to check for when ensuring parallelism in a sentence?

The two key aspects are ensuring that every item in the list is of the same part of speech and that there is usually a suffix or helper word that appears in every item on the list.

What are the three common types of parallelism mentioned in the script?

The three common types of parallelism mentioned are infinitives ('to blank' form of verbs), gerunds ('-ing' form of verbs used as nouns), and adverb parallelism (words that end in '-ly' used to describe verbs).

Why is it important to avoid mixing infinitives with gerunds in parallel structures?

Mixing infinitives with gerunds can disrupt the parallel structure because they are different parts of speech and do not follow the same grammatical pattern, which can confuse the reader.

How does the script suggest using parallelism to enhance persuasive writing?

The script suggests using parallelism to enhance persuasive writing by creating a pattern that is easy to follow, making the ideas clear and memorable, which can be more convincing to the audience.

What is the significance of suffixes or helper words in maintaining parallelism?

Suffixes or helper words are significant in maintaining parallelism because they provide a consistent ending for each item in the list, which helps to reinforce the pattern and make the structure more noticeable and harmonious.