Which device is demonstrated by the sentence: 'We look for signs in every strange event; we search for heroes in every unknown face'?

Which device is demonstrated by the sentence: 'We look for signs in every strange event; we search for heroes in every unknown face'?

• A. Metonymy
• B. Chiasmus
• C. Parallel Construction
• D. Ellipsis

Answer: (C)

Parallel construction is at work here. The two ideas are expressed with the same grammatical pattern: We look for signs in every strange event and we search for heroes in every unknown face. Both clauses start with the same subject and verb form, and they follow the same structure (look for [nouns] in every [adjective+noun]). This mirroring creates rhythm and shows that the speaker uses the same approach in different situations, linking the acts of looking and searching as a unified method. Metonymy would involve substituting one thing for another related thing, which isn’t happening here. Chiasmus would invert the order of elements in a crisscross way, which the sentence does not do. Ellipsis would involve omitting a word or words that are understood; nothing is omitted in these parallel clauses.

Parallel construction is at work here. The two ideas are expressed with the same grammatical pattern: We look for signs in every strange event and we search for heroes in every unknown face. Both clauses start with the same subject and verb form, and they follow the same structure (look for [nouns] in every [adjective+noun]). This mirroring creates rhythm and shows that the speaker uses the same approach in different situations, linking the acts of looking and searching as a unified method.

Metonymy would involve substituting one thing for another related thing, which isn’t happening here. Chiasmus would invert the order of elements in a crisscross way, which the sentence does not do. Ellipsis would involve omitting a word or words that are understood; nothing is omitted in these parallel clauses.