1. The repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence
Parallel Structure
Definition
The repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence
Why We Care
Good parallel structure improves the clarity of your writing

3. Parallelism in Sentences
Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is funny.
Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and humor.

4. Parallel Structure
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

5. Re-write the sentence above to make it PARALLEL:

7. PARALLEL OR NOT?

8. Incorrect: The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, they give detailed examples, and their personal experiences also.
Correct: The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, examples, and personal experiences.
Incorrect: Success in achieving one’s life goals is determined by three factors: motivation being the most important, there is also support from others, and without hard work, success is impossible.
Correct: Success in achieving one’s life goals is determined by three factors: motivation, support from others, and hard work.

9. Parallel Structure..?

10. Importance of Parallelism
When you write a thesis statement, often you have to summarize three reasons in parallel form.
Example: Tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy.

12. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure. A. I wondered whether to make an outline first or I should write the rough draft. B. I wondered whether to make an outline first or to write the rough draft. C. I wondered whether to make an outline first or writing rough draft. D. I wondered whether to make an outline first or that I should write a rough draft.

13. A. I wondered whether to make an outline first or I should write the rough draft. B. I wondered whether to make an outline first or to write the rough draft. C. I wondered whether to make an outline first or writing rough draft. D. I wondered whether to make an outline first or that I should write a rough draft.

14. Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
A. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, they give detailed examples, and their personal experiences also. B. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, examples, and personal experiences. C. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, examples, and their personal experiences. D. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, giving examples, and personal experiences.

15. A. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, they give detailed examples, and their personal experiences also. B. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, examples, and personal experiences. C. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, examples, and their personal experiences. D. The three authors show the value of reading by using metaphors, giving examples, and personal experiences.