Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

p. 269 in MyPerspectives

POINTS

• Identify and use parallel structure

Parallelism/Parallel Structure

• the use of similar grammatical patterns to show similar ideas

• adds rhythm and balance to writing

• strengthens connections among ideas

For instance: words

• "Planning, drafting, and revision are three steps in the writing process" is awkward, because it lacks parallelism (two "-ing" words with one "-ion" word all in the same list)

• It is better to say: "Planning, drafting, and revising are three steps in the writing process." (now, all three things in the list are "-ing" words)

For instance: phrases

• "I could not wait to try my new surfboard, to catch some waves, and for a visit to the beach" is awkward, because it lacks parallelism (two infinitive phrases ("to try," "to catch") with one prepositional phrase ("for a visit") all in the same list)

• It is better to say: "I could not wait to try my new surfboard, to catch some waves, and to visit to the beach." (now, all three things in the list are infinitive phrases: "to try," "to catch," "to visit")

For instance: clauses

• "Olivia likes her school: The teachers are good, the students are nice, and she likes the new building" is awkward, because it lacks parallelism ("The teachers" and "the students" match, but "she likes" doesn't fit the pattern)

• It is better to say: "Olivia likes her school: The teachers are good, the students are nice, and the building is new." (now, all three things in the list follow the same pattern of "the [BLANK]": "the teachers," "the students," "the building")

Open Ended

"One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination." Where is the parallelism?

Multiple Choice

"One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination."

• word parallelism

• phrase parallelism

• clause parallelism

Open Ended

"This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism." Where is the parallelism?

Multiple Choice

"This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism."

• word parallelism

• phrase parallelism

• clause parallelism

Open Ended

"With this faith, we will be able to work together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day." Where is the parallelism?

Multiple Choice

"With this faith, we will be able to work together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."

• word parallelism

• phrase parallelism

• clause parallelism

POINTS

• Identify and use parallel structure (done!)