Parallelism is a powerful tool of writing that creates a strong sense of balance and structure within a piece of writing. By using parallelism, writers can bring their ideas together and amplify their point. The use of parallelism allows writers to effectively emphasize key ideas, create an organized structure, and make complex writing easier to understand.

One prime example of the use of parallelism can be found in an excerpt from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In this famous speech, Lincoln used parallelism in the following excerpt:

We can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow, this ground.

By repeating the word “can not” three times, this parallelism emphasizes the impossible weight of the task of honoring those who died to bring freedom to the nation. Through the use of parallelism, Lincoln is able to express the idea that no matter what one might want to do, it is impossible to give due respect to those who died at Gettysburg.

Along with enhancing the idea, the repetition of the phrase “we can not” also helps to draw attention to the key words in the sentence. As a result, the parallelism is used to create structure, making the passage more effective by giving it a rhythm and creating a strong sense of flow. Parallelism is an effective tool for grabbing the reader’s attention and providing them with a memorable impression.

By utilizing parallelism, Lincoln was able to convey a powerful message with just a few simple words. In doing so, he created an effective passage that not only emphasized his point but created structure and rhythm. Through the use of parallelism, writers can create a strong impression and emphasize key ideas.