Analyzing parallel structure in a paragraph

Annotated paragraph. Actually, almost every day, even in the most sophisticated home, something is likely to happen that evokes the memory of some old folk belief. [The following three sentences are written in parallel form]: The salt spills. A knife falls to the floor. Your nose tickles. [The paragraph continues]: Then perhaps, with a slightly embarrassed smile, [the following three sentences are in parallel form]: the person who spilled the salt tosses a pinch over his left shoulder. Or someone recites the old rhyme, "Knife falls, gentleman calls." Or as you rub your nose you think, That means a letter. I wonder who's writing.

—Adapted from Margaret Mead, “New Superstitions for Old”

Go to related page: Using parallel structures