Engish STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What literary device involves the repeated use of the same sentence structure to emphasize the importance of two topics?

1. Allusion

2. Parallelism

3. Analogy

4. Emotional appeal

The correct answer is: Parallelism

The repeated use of the same sentence structure to emphasize the importance of two topics is known as parallelism. This literary device creates a rhythm, enhances clarity, and underscores the relationship between the ideas being presented. By using parallel structure, writers can draw attention to specific comparisons or contrasts, making their message more impactful and memorable to the reader. For instance, consider the phrase, "I came, I saw, I conquered." This structure reinforces the actions of the subject, highlighting each event with equal significance. The other options do not fit this description. Allusion refers to a reference to a well-known person, event, or work, and it does not involve structuring sentences similarly. Analogy draws a comparison between two different things to highlight a point but does not necessarily employ repetition of structure. Emotional appeal aims to persuade the audience by eliciting strong feelings, which is distinct from the structural focus of parallelism. Therefore, the emphasis on sentence structure and the logistical usage of ideas make parallelism the correct choice in this context.