Repetition vs. Parallelism – Which is Correct?

Repetition and parallelism are distinct rhetorical devices, though often confused. Repetition involves restating words or phrases for emphasis or rhythm, while parallelism is the use of similar grammatical structures or patterns of words to create balance and flow within a sentence or series of sentences.

Repetition or Parallelism – Which is Correct?

Both “repetition” and “parallelism” are correct and refer to distinct, powerful rhetorical and grammatical techniques. The key difference lies in their primary function and what they emphasize. Repetition focuses on repeating specific words or phrases to reinforce an idea, create rhythm, or evoke emotion. Parallelism, on the other hand, deals with the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in a grammatically similar structure to create balance, clarity, and rhetorical impact. Think of it this way: repetition is about saying the same thing again, while parallelism is about saying similar things in the same way.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Repetition	Noun	The act or process of repeating something. In rhetoric, the intentional reuse of a word or phrase for emphasis or effect.	“Never, never, never give up.” (The word “never” is repeated for emphasis.)
Parallelism	Noun	The use of successive verbal constructions in writing or speech which correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.	“She likes to swim, to hike, and to read.” (All verbs are in the infinitive form.)

How to Use Repetition

Repetition is a versatile rhetorical device used to create emphasis, rhythm, clarity, and emotional impact. It can make ideas more memorable, highlight key themes, or build a sense of urgency. While effective, overuse can make writing sound redundant or simplistic. It’s often used in speeches, poetry, and persuasive writing to drive a point home.

Example 1: “The politician promised change, change for the better, change for everyone.”

Example 2: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up… I have a dream that my four little children…” (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Example 3: “The waves crashed, crashed, crashed against the shore, a relentless assault.”

What are the different forms of Repetition?

The word “repetition” itself is a noun. Its verb form is “repeat,” and the adjective is “repetitive.” In rhetoric, there are many specific forms of repetition, including:

• Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
• Epistrophe: Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.
• Symploce: A combination of anaphora and epistrophe.
• Epanalepsis: Repetition of the initial word or words of a clause or sentence at the end of that same clause or sentence.
• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Etymology of the word Repetition

The word “repetition” comes from the Old French repeticion, and directly from the Latin repetitio, meaning “a repeating, a coming back.” This in turn derives from repetere, meaning “to repeat, to do again,” formed from re- (“back, again”) and petere (“to seek, to go to”). Its origins clearly point to the act of doing or saying something multiple times.

Beyond repetition, other powerful rhetorical tools include figures of speech like analogy and metaphor, which create vivid comparisons.

How to Use Parallelism

Parallelism, also known as parallel structure, is a fundamental principle of effective writing and speaking. It involves using the same grammatical form for elements that have the same function in a sentence or across multiple sentences. This creates balance, rhythm, and clarity, making complex ideas easier to understand and more impactful. It’s crucial for lists, comparisons, and creating a sense of rhetorical elegance.

Example 1: “She was a brilliant student, a dedicated athlete, and a loyal friend.” (All noun phrases)

Example 2: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” (Charles Dickens, parallel clauses)

Example 3: “My father taught me to work hard, to speak the truth, and to respect others.” (All infinitive phrases)

What are the different forms of Parallelism?

The word “parallelism” is a noun. Its adjective form is “parallel.” While the concept itself doesn’t have verb conjugations, it applies to various grammatical structures:

• Words: e.g., “He likes running, swimming, and cycling.”
• Phrases: e.g., “The cat jumped over the fence, through the bushes, and into the yard.”
• Clauses: e.g., “What you see is what you get.”
• Antithesis: A specific type of parallelism that uses contrasting ideas in parallel structures, e.g., “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Etymology of the word Parallelism

The word “parallelism” comes from the Greek parallelos, meaning “beside one another.” It entered English through Latin parallelus and French parallèle. The suffix “-ism” indicates a doctrine, practice, or characteristic. In its linguistic context, “parallelism” refers to the characteristic of having corresponding or equivalent structure, much like parallel lines never meet but maintain a consistent relationship.

Related Concepts

Both repetition and parallelism are forms of rhetorical devices or figures of speech. These are techniques or words used to convey meaning or persuade in a way that is different from the ordinary. They are tools in a writer’s or speaker’s arsenal to enhance the impact, clarity, and memorability of their communication. Understanding these broader categories helps in recognizing how repetition creates emphasis and how parallelism builds structure and balance, both contributing to the overall rhetorical effect.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (John F. Kennedy – excellent example of parallelism with a touch of repetition)
• “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (Abraham Lincoln – uses both repetition of “people” and strong parallelism)
• “We will fight on the beaches, we will fight on the landing grounds, we will fight in the fields and in the streets, we will fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” (Winston Churchill – demonstrates anaphora as a form of repetition, within a parallel structure of “we will fight…”)
• “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” (John F. Kennedy – a classic example of antithetical parallelism)
• “I came, I saw, I conquered.” (Julius Caesar – a concise example of parallelism using three short, grammatically identical clauses)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The speaker used powerful __________ of the phrase “freedom now” to rally the crowd. (repetition/parallelism)
2. Effective writing often employs __________ to ensure that ideas presented in a series maintain a consistent grammatical structure. (repetition/parallelism)
3. Her essay lacked clarity because the author failed to maintain __________ in her list of arguments, jumping between different verb tenses and sentence structures. (repetition/parallelism)
4. The chorus of the song relied heavily on __________ of the main hook to make it memorable. (repetition/parallelism)
5. “Reading, writing, and arithmetic” is a classic example of __________ because all three items are gerunds. (repetition/parallelism)

Answer Key

1. repetition
2. parallelism
3. parallelism
4. repetition
5. parallelism

Repetition Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Iteration	The act of repeating a process or utterance.
Recurrence	The fact of occurring again.
Reiteration	The act of saying something again or repeatedly.
Echo	A close parallel or repetition of an idea or sentiment.
Duplication	The act or process of making an exact copy or doing something again.

Parallelism Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Correspondence	A close similarity, connection, or equivalence.
Analogy	A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Equivalence	The state of being equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.
Symmetry	The quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis; balance.
Congruence	The quality of agreeing or corresponding; harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can repetition and parallelism be used together?
Absolutely! In fact, they often are. Many powerful rhetorical statements use a parallel structure that also incorporates repetition. For instance, anaphora (repetition at the beginning of clauses) inherently creates parallelism.

Question 2: Is one more important than the other for good writing?
Both are crucial for different reasons. Parallelism is fundamental for grammatical correctness, clarity, and readability, especially in lists and complex sentences. Repetition is more about emphasis and rhetorical impact. Good writing often leverages both strategically.

Question 3: How can I identify parallelism in a sentence?
Look for lists, comparisons, or series of actions. If the items in the list or the parts of the comparison are expressed using the same grammatical form (e.g., all nouns, all verbs, all prepositional phrases), then you’ve likely found parallelism.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between repetition and parallelism is key to mastering rhetorical devices and crafting impactful prose. While repetition involves the conscious reuse of words or phrases for emphasis, parallelism focuses on maintaining consistent grammatical structures for balance, clarity, and rhythm. Both are invaluable tools for any writer or speaker aiming to communicate effectively and persuasively. Misusing them can lead to awkward phrasing or a lack of impact, while skillful application elevates your message.

Pro Tip: Always proofread your writing for parallel structure, especially in lists and comparisons. A lack of parallelism can make your writing seem unprofessional and difficult to follow, undermining your credibility.