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Parallel Structure: An Influential Tool in Newspaper Editorial Headlines

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dc.contributor.author Ranasinghe, N.D.
dc.date.accessioned 2017-01-18T04:20:54Z
dc.date.available 2017-01-18T04:20:54Z
dc.date.issued 2016
dc.identifier.citation Ranasinghe, N.D. 2016. Parallel Structure: An Influential Tool in Newspaper Editorial Headlines. In proceedings of the 17th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2016, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. p 45. en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/15946
dc.description.abstract The editorial of a newspaper is fabricated on an argument causing the reader to think accordingly. It also promotes critical thinking and at times makes the reader react to an issue. Hence, an editorial is defined as an opinionated piece of news. Therefore, creating a standout phrase as the headline of an editorial is of vital importance to persuade the reader to read the editorial. Among syntactic tools, this research determines the use of the rhetorical device, parallel structure, also known as parallel construction or parallel syntax, and their effects in headlines of newspaper editorials. The aim of this research ascertains the use of parallel syntax to emphasize the central theme the writer attempts to convey, and the objectives are to identify and analyze parallel structures in a corpus of sixty editorial headlines of two Sri Lankan Sunday newspapers: The Sunday Times and Sunday Island. Adopting the theory of parallelism, this research identifies parallel structures of word orders and phrases. Such headlines comprise of coordinating joining words: prepositions, adverbs, (be) verbs and conjunctions. The phrases also have varied features, such as, elements of comparison and contrast. Faulty parallelism or exceptions without the accepted elements of parallel syntax were also noted in this analysis. The identified features of parallel structures in the headlines of newspaper editorials lead to effects, such as, rhythm, economy, clarity, equality, emphasis and delight. Utilization of such effects creates a balanced and smooth flow of information, persuades and emotionally appeals the reader. Nevertheless, the findings of this research specify that parallel structures are used as a tool of advantage, only in 43% of the headlines of newspaper editorials. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka en_US
dc.subject newspaper editorial en_US
dc.subject headline en_US
dc.subject rhetorical device en_US
dc.subject parallel structure en_US
dc.subject influence en_US
dc.title Parallel Structure: An Influential Tool in Newspaper Editorial Headlines en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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