1. Parallelism

2. What is parallel structure?
Parallel structure involves putting together elements of similar structure to achieve balanced writing.
Winston Churchill did not say:
I have nothing to offer but bleeding, toil, tears, and sweating.
He said:
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

3. Parallel Structure in Sentences
Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny.
Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny humour.
Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision.
Improved: Good writing requires you to plan outlines, write several drafts, and revision revise your work.

4. Can you identify and correct the faulty parallelism in the sentence below?
WRONG: A good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her best attributes.
A good attitude
Being on time
Speaking effectively
RIGHT: Having a good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her attributes.
Having a good attitude
Being on time
Speaking effectively

5. Let’s try it again:
WRONG: This proposal is profitable, timely, and it helps us.
RIGHT: This proposal is profitable, timely, and helpful.
Profitable
Timely
It helps us
Profitable
Timely
Helpful

6. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions
WRONG: Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but eggs and butter have it.
In vegetables
Eggs and butter have it
RIGHT: Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but also in eggs and butter.
In vegetables
In eggs and butter

7. Try it on your own.
Many gases are invisible, odorless, and they have no taste.
Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber but also sings well.
Three of the steps in filing are to code, to sort, and storing.

8. Revised Sentences Many gases are invisible, odorless, and tasteless.
Mr. Foster is not only an excellent barber but also a good singer.
Three of the steps in filing are to code, to sort, and to store.