I like balance. Not just because my zodiac sign is the symbol of the scales but because balance is the state in which things work best. Balance creates stability and order.
What happens when things are out of balance? Something fails.
In writing, a lack of balanced sentences means that your message may fail to reach your readers.
Balance in writing is called parallel structure (or parallelism). It’s when words in a series use similar grammatical form; this means that each item in a series is the same part of speech.
If your sentences are unbalanced, your readers will get stuck. They’ll struggle to grasp ideas. Lack of parallel structure leads to awkwardness. It affects flow by breaking the rhythm.
Whether your readers are even aware of it, they expect words in a series to be in similar grammatical form. It makes the meaning of a sentence easier to understand.
Use parallel structure to help your readers follow. Show them how related items fit together. Repeat the same grammatical form. This kind of repetition is appealing to your readers.
A Writer’s Reference reminds us of two important things to remember when ensuring parallel structure:
1) Balance similar ideas in a series:
Not parallel—She loves running, hiking, and to swim
Parallel—She loves to run, to hike, and to swim. Or She loves running, hiking, and swimming.
(The first revision uses to for each word in the series. The second revision uses –ing for each word in the series.)
2) Balance similar ideas presented as pairs:
• Use a coordinating conjunction (but, and, or)
Not parallel—She loves running and to hike.
Parallel—She loves running and hiking.
(This revision uses –ing for each word in the series.)
•Use correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also)
Not parallel—My teacher told me either to read the book or take the test.
Parallel—My teacher told me either to read the book or to take the test.
(This revision balances to read with to take.)
• Use a word that introduces a comparison (than, as)
Not parallel—He said that to read the book is better than seeing the movie.
Parallel—He said that reading the book is better than seeing the movie.
(This revision balances reading with seeing.)
You can also use parallel structure to create emphasis. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is full of examples of parallel structure. The repetition in the following excerpt emphasizes King’s ideas while creating balance that is pleasing to the ear:
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. 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.”
What’s helpful to remember about parallel structure in writing?
• Words in a series should use the same grammatical form.
• Listen to how your sentences sound. If you hear faulty parallelism, revise accordingly.
• Remember that you want your readers to arrive at your message with as little trouble as possible. A lack of balance will cause trouble.
Writing is easier to follow when sentences are balanced. Be sure that your writing appeals to your readers’ need for balance.
