Parallelism

Landon Grogan, Jason Jennings, Andrea Kreifels, Paul Law, Adam Pontier

Balancing ActParallelism improves readability in writing Parallelism improves readability in writing when two or more similar words, clauses, when two or more similar words, clauses,

or phrases are balanced.or phrases are balanced.

What is Parallelism?• Placing Nouns with Nouns• Placing Verbs with Verbs• Placing Phrases with Phrases

Parallelism• Make sure items have the same structure

throughout the sentence.

Parallelism in Pairs• When two or more items are joined by and or

or, use the same form for each.

Parallelism in Comparison• Items on either side of the comparison need

to have the same structure.

Commonly Paired Words• Both And• Neither Not• Rather Than• Either Or• Not Only But Also

Fixing the Problem“My grandma grew up in Kentucky, moved

to Indiana, and was funny. ”

•Find the conjunction in the sentence.

Fixing the Problem“My grandma grew up in Kentucky, moved

to Indiana, and was funny. ”

•Identify the words or word groups that the conjunction joins.

Fixing the Problem“My grandma grew up in Kentucky, moved

to Indiana, and was funny. ”•The first two word groups are parallel; however, the last one is not.•Fix the word group that is not parallel.

Fixing the Problem“My grandma grew up in Kentucky, moved

to Indiana, and was funny. ”•The corrected sentence is:

Which is Correct?• Soccer consists of kicking, defending, making

scores.

• Soccer consists of kicking, defending, and scoring.

Which is Correct?• Soccer consists of kicking, defending, making

scores.

• Soccer consists of kicking, defending, and scoring.

Which is Correct?• This class includes reading and writing.

• This class includes reading and to write.

Which is Correct?• This class includes reading and writing.

• This class includes reading and to write.

Which is Correct?• My degree, my work experience, and ability to

complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.

• My degree, my work experience, and my ability to complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.

Which is Correct?• My degree, my work experience, and ability to

complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.

• My degree, my work experience, and my ability to complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.

Which is Correct?• Open the book first, read the text now, look at

the pictures last.

• Open the book first, read the text, look at the pictures.

Which is Correct?• Open the book first, read the text now, look at

the pictures last.

• Open the book first, read the text, look at the pictures.

Which is Correct?• Susan likes ice cream more than to eat

sherbet.

• Susan likes ice cream more than sherbet.

Which is Correct?• Susan likes ice cream more than to eat

sherbet.

• Susan likes ice cream more than sherbet.

Which is Correct?• The recipe calls for salt, pepper, and garlic.

• The recipe calls for salt, some pepper, and garlic.

Which is Correct?• The recipe calls for salt, pepper, and garlic.

• The recipe calls for salt, some pepper, and garlic.

Which is Correct?• Steve is not only tall but pretty strong too.

• Steve is not only tall but strong.

Which is Correct?• Steve is not only tall but pretty strong too.

• Steve is not only tall but strong.

Which is Correct?• Carol picked up her books, pens, and

notebook.

• Carol picked up her books, pens, and her notebook.

Which is Correct?• Carol picked up her books, pens, and

notebook.

• Carol picked up her books, pens, and her notebook.

Which is Correct?• This car is not only fast but also more safe to

drive.

• This car is not only fast but also safe to drive.

Which is Correct?• This car is not only fast but also more safe to

drive.

• This car is not only fast but also safe to drive.

Which is Correct?• You must either stay home or go with us.

• Either you must stay home or go with us.

Which is Correct?• You must either stay home or go with us.

• Either you must stay home or go with us.

Help Others with Parallelism!!• Constructively comment and make

corrections on peer review assignments.

• Use journal entries as review opportunities. • Match personal learning style with activities

that help make learning easier.

Finally . . .Being aware of the role that Being aware of the role that

parallelism has in writing will parallelism has in writing will help to create sentences that are help to create sentences that are

clear and easy to follow. clear and easy to follow.