Parallel Structure Keeping your writing smooth Parallel structure
- Slides: 7
Parallel Structure Keeping your writing smooth
Parallel structure • The repetition of grammatical form within a sentence • Keeps consistency in the order of parts of speech
Checking for parallel structure- coordinating conjunctions • Looking on either side of a coordinating conjunction can help you determine if a sentence is parallel • What is a coordinating conjunction? • FANBOYS • • For And Nor But Or Yet So
Checking for parallel structure- coordinating conjunctions • Example 1: Maria was walking to the store, and she listened to music as she walked. • Coordinating conjunction? • Where is the sentence unbalanced (what part of speech)? • Example 1 revised: Maria was walking to the store, and she was listening to music as she walked. Maria walked to the store, and she listened to music as she walked.
Checking for parallel structure: correlating conjunctions • Correlating conjunctions • • Either…or Neither…nor Not only…but also Both…and • Example 1: Either we have to get a ride or we will walk. • Example 1 revised: Either we have to get a ride or we will have to walk. Either we will get a ride or we will walk.
Checking for parallel structure: lists • Sentence structure often begins to fall apart when listing many items or actions. • Example 1: We had quite a few chores to complete before the end of the day: we had to vacuum, wash the dishes, mow the lawn, and to take out the trash. • Example 1 revised: We had quite a few chores to complete before the end of the day: we had to vacuum, wash the dishes, mow the lawn, and take out the trash.
Parallel structure as an artistic choice • Important to keep your sentences grammatically correct and smooth. • Great tool to build energy and flow within a paragraph. • Often used to reinforce important points or ideas. • Example: We must fight as a people, we must work as a community, and we must overcome as a group. • Example: “My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. ” - Barack Obama
