Sounds terrible, doesn’t it? It isn’t, though. This is something all authors need to know. Parallelism is two or mor ideas that are parallel. That is, comparing ideas that go together. But these sentences need to be written in a certain way. They should be balanced: single words with single words; phrases with phrases; clauses with clauses. Here are some examples I pulled from the book ‘A Writer’s Reference’ by Diana Hacker. You should get this book. Check Amazon.
“A kiss can be a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point.” (Mistinguett)
“This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but to be hurled with great force.” (Dorothy Parker)
“In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the currant.” (Thomas Jefferson)
Do you see what I mean? If not, give me a shout in the comments and I will go over it with you.
Love you,
Bully bitch