Parallelism is a powerful rhetorical device that writers and speakers use to create cohesion and add emphasis to their message. It involves using grammatically similar structures, phrases, or clauses to create a parallel structure that draws attention to the intended message.
Parallelism is commonly used in speeches, essays, and other forms of writing. It helps to add rhythm and clarity to a piece of writing.
Teaching students about parallelism is an important skill that can help them become better writers and communicators.
Below are some useful tips for teaching students about parallelism and how to use it effectively:
1. Introduce the concept of parallelism
Before you start teaching students how to use parallelism, it’s important to make sure they understand the concept. Explain to them that parallelism is a technique that uses similar grammatical structures to convey a message effectively.
It’s important to give examples of parallelism, so students can understand the concept better. For instance, “She likes reading, writing, and running” is an example of parallelism.
2. Use real-life examples
One of the best ways to help students understand parallelism is by using examples from real-life situations. For instance, you can use famous speeches or quotes that use parallel structure effectively to illustrate it.
For example, Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech is an excellent example of parallelism. In his speech, King repeats the phrase “I have a dream” several times throughout his speech, creating a parallel structure and emphasizing his message.
3. Help students identify parallel structures
After teaching the concept of parallelism, help students identify parallel structures in different types of writing.
This could involve giving students some examples of writing and asking them to identify parallel structures. You can also provide them with a worksheet to help them practice identifying parallel structures.
4. Encourage students to use parallel structures in their writing
Finally, encourage students to use parallel structures in their writing. You can provide them with a prompt and ask them to write a paragraph or essay using parallelism to convey their message.
Parallelism is an important rhetorical device that can help students become better writers and communicators. By introducing the concept, providing examples, and encouraging students to use parallel structures in their writing, you can help them develop key writing skills that will serve them well in their future academic and professional endeavors.
