April 10, 2010

Media Buzzwords and Parallel Logic

Journalists sometimes single out words to use in sloppy, repetitive ways. The term kabuki theater is becoming an example.

One writer notes that lately, pundits from respected news outlets have used the term as a lazy way to refer to empty political theatrics. The following list with parallel structure explains why journalists may have turned to this traditional Japanese theater term to make fun of U.S. politicians:

1) It sounds funny.
2) It sounds childish.
3) It sounds foreign.
4) It sounds incomprehensible.

– Jon Lackman, “It’s Time To Retire Kabuki:

The word doesn’t mean what pundits think it does,” Slate, April 14, 2010

Lackman’s parallel sequence of adjectives picks up momentum through the grammatical symmetry across these four sentences. Gramatically parallel lists like these are often a good way to add impact when you  lay out your own lines of reasoning.

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For more guidelines on parallel structure in sentences and lists, see our updated book Professional Writing Skills: A Write It Well Guide. Also look for our book Essential Grammar: A Write It Well Guide, which will ship later this summer!