ABSTRACT
Parallel structure brings a cadence and symmetry—a musicality, a rhythm—to writing. Parallel structure, or parallel construction, balances phrases or clauses with a similar grammatical structure, which indicates they have the same level of importance. Students brainstorm a list of phrases they can use for their imitation. Students reread a text, either a more formal assignment or something less formal and drafty, such as a journal entry. Many teachers are wary of reading aloud to high schoolers, but students, especially students who are not solid readers, benefit from hearing words pronounced accurately and from hearing the appropriate cadence of sentences. The parallel structure has been removed, and the word big is not repeated. The new version lacks the impact that the parallel structure creates.
