UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR PARALLELISM From Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon Created by April Turner

PARALLELISM The secret to the parallelism test: make sure everything is the same.

What is it? Parallel structure is repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Why is it important? Parallel structure helps to organize ideas, making a text or speech easier to understand. Parallel structure can also create a satisfying rhythm in the language an author uses.

How do I do it? Repeat the same pattern of words at key points in the text. Use parallel structure to organize ideas within a sentence

I CAME – PRONOUN PAST TENSE VERB I SAW – PRONOUN PAST TENSE VERB WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? I CAME – PRONOUN PAST TENSE VERB I SAW – PRONOUN PAST TENSE VERB I CONQUERED - PRONOUN PAST TENSE VERB

Remember Edwards? nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.

Example 1: "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him." Note: The author uses parallel structure in both lines. In the first line, parallel structure equates three different groups of society: friends, Romans, and "countrymen." In the second line, the author uses parallel structure with the phrases "to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

Example 2: "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood... I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains, of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later,the Negro is still . . .

WRONG: Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and we love you? RIGHT: Did you know that you have a purpose, that you are needed, and that you are loved?

WRONG: A good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her attributes. RIGHT: Having a good attitude, being on time, and speaking effectively are her attributes.

WRONG: This proposal is profitable, timely, and it helps us. RIGHT: This proposal is profitable, timely, and helpful.

A FEW REMINDERS… “not only” NEEDS “but also” NOT JUST “but” EXAMPLE: Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but eggs and butter have it. Vitamin A is found not only in vegetables, but also in eggs and butter.

A FEW REMINDERS… “either” NEEDS “or” NOT “nor” EXAMPLE: The shirt must be either red nor black. The shirt must be either red or black. “neither” NEEDS “nor” NOT “or” EXAMPLE: I found neither his bongo playing or his glockenspiel practicing objectionable. I found neither his bongo playing nor his glockenspiel practicing objectionable.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Does anyone have any questions regarding parallelism? PLEASE ASK!!!

LET’S PRACTICE!!! http://www.chompchomp.com/structure01/structure01.htm

Video example of parallel structure http://eslbee.com/media/ps/parallel_structure.htm