Parallelism
Connecting ideas smoothly
What is Parallelism?
Parallelism means that all of the
ideas in your sentences line up
logically.
When sentences are parallel, they flow
smoothly and have symmetry.
The next few slides present
examples of parallel vs. non-
parallel sentences.
Parallelism in a series
Whenever you present a series, each item
should line up logically with the beginning of
the sentence.
For example: I have to get the
children dressed, fed, and packed
for school by 7:30 a.m.
Note how each of the items in the series of actions
line up with the beginning of the sentence:
I have to get the children
dressed, fed, and packed for school
by 7:30 a.m.
Parallelism in a series
Parallel: I have to get the
children dressed, fed, and
packed for school by 7:30 a.m.
Non-parallel: I have to get the children
dressed, fed and be packed for school by
7:30 a.m.
Non-parallel: I have to get the children
dressed, feed them and packed for
school by 7:30 a.m.
Parallelism in a series
Not Parallel: By brainstorming, applying
prewriting strategies, all research completed,
writing several drafts, and proofreading for
errors, I have improved my writing greatly.
Parallel: By brainstorming, applying
prewriting strategies, completing all research,
writing several drafts, and proofreading for
errors, I have improved my writing greatly.
Parallelism in a series
Not Parallel: The homework center has
helped me with my comma splices,
organization, writing better sentences, and
thesis statements.
Parallel: The homework center has
helped me with my comma
splices, organization,
sentence writing skills, and
thesis statements.
Parallelism – parts of speech
Sometimes a sentence sounds OK, but
would sound better if the parts of speech
were all the same. For example:
Not Parallel: Eric is handsome, intelligent,
and a good athlete.
Parallel: Eric is handsome,
intelligent, and athletic.
Note how handsome, intelligent,
and athletic are all adjectives
describing Eric.
Parallelism – parts of speech
Not Parallel: Over-scheduling only leads
to frustration, becoming exhausted,
mounting stress, and low productivity.
Parallel: Over-scheduling only leads to
frustration, exhaustion, mounting stress,
and low productivity.
Frustration, exhaustion, stress,
and productivity are all NOUNS.
Parallelism – parts of speech
Not Parallel: The woods were spooky,
dark, musty-smelling, moss-covered,
allegedly haunted, a private place, and
dangerous for children. (a private place = noun)
Parallel: The woods were spooky, dark,
musty-smelling, moss-covered, allegedly
haunted, private, and dangerous for
children. (private = adjective)
ADJECTIVES spooky, dark, musty-smelling,
moss-covered, haunted, private, and dangerous
Parallelism Challenge
Can you locate the non-parallel
elements in the following sentences?
Can you fix the following?
Atmost area high schools, acts
of vandalism can result in
suspension, detention, or even
being expelled from school.
Answer:
Not parallel: At most area high
schools, acts of vandalism can
result in suspension, detention, or
even being expelled from school.
Corrected: At most area high
schools, acts of vandalism can
result in suspension, detention,
or even expulsion.
Can you fix the following?
Itis sometimes easier to
lie or to use a euphemism
than telling the truth.
Answer:
Not parallel: It is sometimes easier
to lie or to use a euphemism than
telling the truth.
Corrected: It is sometimes
easier to lie or to use a
euphemism than to tell the
truth.
Can you fix the following?
The waste dump is ugly, an
environmental danger,
unsafe, hazardous to
children, and foul-smelling.
Answer:
Not parallel: The waste dump is ugly,
an environmental danger, unsafe,
hazardous to children, and foul-
smelling. (danger = noun)
Corrected: The waste dump is
ugly, environmentally dangerous,
unsafe, hazardous to children,
and foul-smelling.
Can you fix the following?
People often get caught in
lies when they stutter, look
down, turn red, misusing
words, breathe hard, or
fidget.
Answer:
Not parallel: People often get caught
in lies when they stutter, look down,
turn red, misusing words, breathe hard,
or fidget.
Corrected: People often get
caught in lies when they stutter,
look down, turn red, misuse
words, breathe hard, or fidget.
Don’t forget to apply parallelism to
your own writing!
Be sure to check your series and parts
of speech parallelism.
End of presentation.
