Sentence structure can reinforce key ideas, highlight contrasts or build intensity.

Reinforcing Key Ideas: Parallelism

Perhaps the most widely used grammatical pattern for effect is parallelism. In one way, parallelism is straightforward. The writer makes sure that all of the elements in a balanced pair or sequence have the same grammatical form. If the first item in a series begins with an infinitive, the remaining items in a series should also begin with an infinitive.

Not only must the grammatical form be repeated, the structure must be symmetrical. If the first clause is a that-clause, each clause following will begin with "that." If the first noun in a series is modified by an adjective, then each noun will be modified by an adjective. If a single preposition introduces a series then the reader expects that preposition to govern each item.

For example: He promised to provide raises, insurance, and overtime. The raises were never funded; the insurance was never bought; the overtime was never instituted.

Highlighting Contrast: Parallel Sequences

The Negative-Positive Sequence

On occasion you will want to express a contrast of two ideas that says in essence, "not this, but that." To present these ideas in so definite a pattern as "no-yes" is designed to communicate a sense of certainty about the paired relationship AND you want to place special emphasis on the second member of the pair.

It is not damaged; it is destroyed.

This is not a little mistake; it is a catastrophe.

The Positive-Negative Sequence

A sentence can contrast two ideas that says in essence, "this, not that." The structure is effective when you want to stress what didn't happen--usually some loss, weakness or absence. This pattern creates an especially strong tone of criticism.

I was told about missionaries but never about pirates; I was familiar with hummingbirds, but I had never heard of fairies.

Edmund Gosse, Fathers and Sons

Antithesis

A balanced pair of opposites can create an especially strong tension between the contrasted pair. This balanced pair of opposites is called an antithesis. When you wish to emphasize discrepancies or to magnify contrasts.

Our knowledge separates as well as it unites; our orders disintegrate as well as bind; our art brings us together and sets us apart.

J, Robert Oppenheimer, The Open Mind

Patterns of Repetition

Patterns of repetition take advantage of the possibilities inherent in the grammatical structure of compound or complex sentences. Grammatically, you have several possibilities for repetition, each with its own effect.

Repeat the Initial Element--Anaphora

Repeating the initial word or words in each item of a series of phrases or clauses is an intensifying device that drumbeats the word to a level of desired emphasis.

We are moving to the land of freedom. Let us march to the realization of the American dream. Let us march on segregated housing. Let us march on segregated schools. Let us march on poverty. Let us march on ballot boxes. . .

Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil-Rights Speech, 1965

Repeat the Word or Words at the End of Successive Clauses--Epistrophe

Like repeating the initial word above, the repetition of a word in the terminal position intensifies the effect by linking disparate ideas with a successive predicate.

To the good American, many subjects are sacred: sex is sacred, women are sacred, children are sacred, business is sacred, America is sacred, Masonic lodges and college clubs are sacred.

George Santayana, Character and Opinion in the United States

Repeat the Last Word of One Clause at the Beginning of the Next Clause

This type of repetition works because it slows down the tempo of the sentence (forcing the reader to pay attention to the repetition) and thus reinforcing the greater sense of continuity among clauses created by the repetition of the term from one clause immediately in the next.

Labor and care are rewarded with success, success produces confidence, confidence relaxes industry, negligence ruins the reputation which diligence had raised.

Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, No. 21

Many of the examples and some of the explanations of these devices can be found in Copy and Compose by Winston Weathers and Otis Winchester.

 

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