What is meant by parallelism in writing?

Parallelism in writing refers to the use of similar grammatical structures in phrases or sentences. This technique creates a sense of balance and rhythm, which enhances the readability and clarity of the text. By employing parallelism, writers can emphasize the relationships between ideas or elements in a sentence, making their arguments more persuasive and impactful.

For example, consider the sentence: “She enjoys reading, writing, and hiking.” The parallel structure—using the same grammatical form for each verb—helps to convey that these activities are equally important to the subject. This not only improves coherence but also contributes to a more pleasing auditory experience when the sentence is read aloud.

While comparisons of similar ideas in different contexts, the use of contrasting ideas, and the incorporation of irony can all be effective writing techniques, they do not specifically focus on the structural harmony created by parallelism.