Parallel Structure

What is parallel Structure? Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.

What is Parallel Structure? Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen on the word, phrase, or clause level The usual way to join parallel structures is with a coordinating conjunction such as “and” or “or”

Words and phrases Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.

Clauses Which example is in parallel structure? The coach told the players they should get a lot of sleep, they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. The coach told the players they should get a lot of sleep, they should not eat too much, and they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. How else might the second example be rewritten (condensed)?

Lists after a Colon Not Parallel:  The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. How could you make the sentence above parallel?

Three Pronged Thesis Statement Complete these thesis statements using parallel structure---add at least two points to make a complete thesis: In high school, teachers assign homework, _______, and _______. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Athletes show their work ethic during competition, _____, and ______. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Warm-up Write 2 parallel structure thesis statements of your own.

Application: Make the following Parallel (copy as is, then edit to correct) I am allergic to the dog’s hair and how it smells. The class valued respect, honesty, and being on time in a teacher. James enjoys reading more than to write. William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson exhibit similar styles of language, how they develop characters, and showing plot execution. Because it emits no greenhouse gasses, there isn’t any atmospheric pollution, and harms no water or aquatic life, Nuclear power provides the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.