What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel Structure
finit ion
De
The repetition of a chosen
grammatical form within a
sentence
Why W
e Car
Good parallel structure e
improves the clarity of
your writing
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 Parallelism in
Sentences
• Poor: Betty has intelligence,
honesty, and she is funny.

• Improved: Betty has intelligence,

honesty, and humor.
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Parallel Structure..?

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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. 6
 Parallelism
in
Thesis Stat
ements
• Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ failed
in their relationship because he was
older than her, Scientology, and being
a celebrity.

• Improved: Tom Cruise and Katie

Holmes’ relationship failed due to their
age difference, their religious beliefs, 7
and their fame.
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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.
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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.

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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
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experiences.
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.
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