What structural device does Kipling use in If— to build its message?

• A. Parallelism
• B. Anecdote
• C. Onomatopoeia
• D. Hyperbole

Answer: (A)

The main device at work is parallelism: a chain of nearly identical sentence frames that all begin with “If you can….” Each line lays out a condition and a consequence, and the repetition creates a steady, chant-like rhythm. This parallel structure stitches together a long list of virtues and tests—keeping your head, staying calm, trusting yourself, facing both triumph and disaster the same, and so on—so the message reads like universal, practical guidance. The cadence makes the advice feel achievable and memorable, turning it into a single, cohesive set of instructions rather than a single moment or story. While the poem paints vivid scenes, its power comes from this balanced, repetitive form that reinforces growth through steady, repeatable actions. The other options don’t fit because the piece isn’t a specific anecdote, doesn’t rely on sound-word effects, and isn’t built on exaggerated claims.