What is a series? A series is a group of three or more important positive words or phrases, of different meanings, yet so closely related as to be capable of being welded into one thought; as,
Let old issues, old questions, old differences, and old feuds be regarded as fossils of another epoch.
—Alexander H. Stephens
The group that constitutes the series is composed of “old issues,” “old questions,” “old differences,” “old feuds,” which, united should all “be regarded as fossils of another epoch.”
What use is the series? The series allows a speaker to gather many forces, amalgamate them, thus uniting the feeble powers of the number into the powerful strength of the one, and to direct the united force to one point; as,
We are among the sepulchres of our fathers. We are on ground distinguished by their valor, their constancy, and the shedding of their blood.
—Daniel Webster
The orator tells the assembly that they are on ground distinguished by the valor of their fathers, but he does more: he tells them that the ground was also distinguished by their constancy and the shedding of their blood. The series enables the speaker to weld together “valor,” “constancy,” and “blood,” thus combining the three virtues shown by the fathers, and this arrangement, the blending of the three reasons, gives the one strong reason, the patriotism of our fathers, for honoring the ground upon which the people were gathered. Cicero thus clearly defines a series and tells what it accomplishes: “For there is such an admirable continuation and series of things that each seems connected with the other, and all appear linked together and unified.” This is exactly what a series is: Words or phrases that are closely connected with one another and are all linked together; as,
We welcome you to the immeasurable blessings of rational existence, the immortal hope of Christianity, and the light of everlasting truth!
—Daniel Webster