Figures of Speech

Parallelism

Use the same grammatical form for items in a series to create rhythm and clarity.

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What & why

What it is
Parallelism arranges two or more phrases or clauses in matching grammatical form so they read as a balanced set. Repeating the structure signals that the items rank equally, steadies the rhythm of the sentence, and lowers the effort of tracking a list. As a rhetorical device it shapes emphasis and persuasive weight, which sets it apart from the baseline grammar requirement covered in Parallel Structure (Grammar).
Why it works

Parallel structure tends to be easier to process because a repeated grammatical pattern lets listeners anticipate what is coming and spend less effort parsing syntax. Research on processing fluency suggests this ease makes ideas feel clearer and more pleasing, freeing attention for the content itself.

Before & after

Before

“Our goals are to grow revenue, customer happiness, and reducing churn.”

After

“Our goals are to grow revenue, increase customer happiness, and reduce churn.”

When you’ll use it

Listing company goals or priorities in strategic presentations

Describing product features or benefits in marketing materials

Outlining project phases or deliverables in status updates

Presenting options or alternatives in decision-making meetings

Creating memorable mission statements or value propositions

Building persuasive arguments with multiple supporting points

Pro tip

Match the verb forms across your list. Your ear will hear the symmetry.

Questions & answers

What's the difference between parallelism as a rhetorical device and parallel structure in grammar?

Parallel structure is a grammatical rule requiring consistent form in lists and comparisons. Parallelism as a rhetorical device uses this grammatical principle artistically to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorability. Think of grammar as the foundation and rhetoric as the architecture built on top.

How much parallelism is too much?

While parallelism creates rhythm, overuse can sound mechanical or preachy. Use it strategically for your most important lists or contrasts. A good rule: one major parallel structure per paragraph in writing, or per main point in speaking.

Can I mix different parallel patterns in the same presentation?

Yes, but maintain consistency within each individual list or comparison. You might use 'to + verb' pattern for one list and 'verb + ing' for another, but don't mix patterns within the same list.

Learn more

Silva Rhetoricae (BYU) - Parallelism
Purdue OWL - Parallel Structure
LitCharts - Parallelism

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