Have you ever noticed how some sentences just sound pleasing to the ear? Often, this pleasing quality comes from a specific structural choice writers make, the balanced sentence. It’s more than just good grammar; it’s a deliberate technique for creating rhythm, emphasis, and a sense of completeness. Let’s explore this fascinating literary device in detail.
What is a Balanced Sentence?
A balanced sentence (also known as parallelism) is a sentence composed of two parts that are equal in length, grammatical structure, and importance. These parts are often presented side by side, creating a sense of symmetry and highlighting a connection or contrast between the ideas presented. The key is that the sentence elements mirror each other, not necessarily in meaning, but in how they are expressed.
Simple Examples of Balanced Sentences
Here are a few quick examples to illustrate the basic concept:
- He came, he saw, he conquered.
- Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
- It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.
Notice how each part of these sentences has a similar structure and feels equally weighted. This isn’t accidental; it’s the power of the balanced sentence at work.
Delving Deeper: How Balanced Sentences Work
The effectiveness of a balanced sentence isn’t just about length. It’s about creating a parallel structure. This means using the same grammatical form for each part of the sentence. This could involve using the same type of phrase (prepositional, participial, infinitive), the same verb tense, or the same word order.
Understanding Parallel Structure
Let’s look at how parallel structure creates a balanced sentence. Consider this example:
“She likes hiking, swimming, and to read.”
This sentence isn’t perfectly balanced because “to read” is an infinitive while “hiking” and “swimming” are gerunds. A balanced version would be:
“She likes hiking, swimming, and reading.”
Or:
“She likes to hike, to swim, and to read.”
Both of these revised sentences demonstrate parallel structure, creating a more pleasing and balanced rhythm.
Types of Balanced Sentences and Their Effects
Balanced sentences aren’t a one size fits all. They can be used in different ways to achieve different effects. Let’s explore a few variations.
Antithetical Balanced Sentences
These sentences present contrasting ideas in a balanced structure. This creates a powerful sense of opposition and highlights the differences between the concepts.
Example: “Man proposes, God disposes.”
The parallel structure emphasizes the contrast between human intention and divine power.
Non-Antithetical Balanced Sentences
These sentences present ideas that are related or complementary, rather than contrasting. They create a sense of harmony and emphasize the connection between the concepts.
Example: “The price is high, the quality is excellent.”
Here, the balanced structure connects price and quality, suggesting a justifiable relationship between the two.
Balanced Sentences with Lists
A common use of balanced sentences is to present a list of items or ideas. This is effective for emphasizing all elements in the list equally.
Example: “He came, he saw, he conquered, he ruled, he prospered.”
The repetition of the “he” and verb structure emphasizes each action as an integral part of his journey.
More Examples to Illustrate the Concept
Let’s look at some more complex examples to see balanced sentences in action.
- By day the frolic, and by night the dance.
- They made promises they could not keep, and offered solutions that did not solve the problem.
- Whether you choose to go or stay, you will always be in my thoughts.
- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
- Not everything that is seen is true, and not everything that is true is seen.
In each of these examples, the balanced structure adds emphasis, rhythm, and a sense of completeness to the writing.
The Benefits of Using Balanced Sentences
Why bother with balanced sentences? They aren’t just a stylistic flourish; they serve several important purposes.
- Emphasis: Balanced structure draws attention to the ideas being presented.
- Rhythm and Flow: Creates a pleasing and memorable rhythm in writing.
- Clarity: Helps to organize and present information in a clear and concise manner.
- Persuasion: Can be used to make writing more persuasive and impactful.
- Memorability: The symmetry and rhythm of balanced sentences make them easier to remember.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
While balanced sentences are powerful, it’s important to use them judiciously. Here are a few things to avoid.
- Overuse: Too many balanced sentences can make writing sound repetitive and artificial.
- Forced Balance: Don’t sacrifice clarity or meaning to achieve perfect balance.
- Inconsistent Parallelism: Ensure that all elements in the sentence are truly parallel in structure.
Conclusion
The balanced sentence is a versatile literary device that can enhance the quality and impact of your writing. By understanding the principles of parallel structure and practicing its application, you can create sentences that are not only grammatically correct but also aesthetically pleasing and powerfully persuasive. So, next time you’re writing, consider the possibilities of balance and let your words flow with symmetry and grace.