1. Syntax and parallel structure
Mini Lesson

2. Syntax? Parallel Structure?
Syntax is the construction of sentences (Think of the writer as the builder or designer).
We can think of syntax as the rhythm of prose (How do you want your writing to sound?)
You can create that sound and effect by the way you design and order your words! SYNTAX
Syntax refers, in general, to the order of words in a sentence that results in various sentence types used for a variety of rhetorical effects.
TYPES OF SENTENCES YOU CAN BUILD AND DESIGN INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,:
GRAMMATICAL SENENCE TYPES
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
INVERTED/UN-USUAL SYNTAX
-simple
-compound
-complex
-compound- complex
A parallel sentence (sometimes called a balanced sentence) contains parts of equal grammatical structure.
An unusual word order
Ex:
Stephen ate a blueberry muffin.
A blueberry muffin Stephen ate.

3. Syntax and Parallel Structure Mini Lesson (Words)
Define parallel: very similar and often happening at the same time
What is parallel structure?
A sentence has parallel structure when related ideas are expressed in the same grammatical form or pattern.
Effective use of parallelism adds rhythm, momentum, and balance to your writing and strengthens connections among your ideas.

4. How can I create parallel structure using words?
You can create parallel structure in writing when you use the same grammatical form when using the following types of words:
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Gerunds
Sample parallel forms:
sharp eyes, strong hands, deft fingers
to ask, to learn, to share
very supportive, extremely kind, and totally understanding
quickly, effectively, diligently
playing soccer, reading comics, lifting weights

5. Parallel Structure: Nouns
A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Nouns may name general or specific things.
A common noun is the general name of a person, place thing or idea.
A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, thing or idea. A proper noun always begins with a capital letter.
Parallel Structure: Nouns
Example:
On Fridays, the cafeteria serves roasted vegetables, turkey burgers, and fruit salad.

6. Parallel Structure: Nouns (cont’d)
A concrete noun names something you can see or touch.
Examples: author, village, book, horse, saddle
An abstract noun names something that cannot be seen or touched, such as an idea, emotion, quality, or condition.
Examples: cleverness, joy, fear, wisdom, humor
Concrete nouns
I have a book, a pencil, and a binder.
Abstract nouns
Her wisdom, cleverness, and humor keeps her ahead of the game.

7. Parallel Structure: Nouns

8. Parallel Structure: Verbs
Example:
A verb is a word that shows an action or state of being.
I ran, I jumped, I skipped
A verb is a "doing" word. A verb can express:
A physical action (e.g., to swim, to write, to climb).
A mental action (e.g., to think, to guess, to consider).
A state of being (e.g., to be, to exist, to appear).

9. Parallel Structure: Adjectives
Example:
An adjective is a word that modifies, or describes, a noun or pronoun.
Hailey was not only creative and smart, but she was also hardworking. Note: Also notice the correlative conjunctions that are used to join sentence parts: not only/but also (pronunciation: ke-relative)

10. Adjectives Not Parallel Structure
Hailey was not only creative and smart, but she also worked very hard.
Parallel Structure
Hailey was not only creative and smart, but she was also hardworking.

11. Which one is an example of parallel structure and which one is faulty
Which one is an example of parallel structure and which one is faulty? Explain.

12. Parallel Structure: Adverbs
Adverbs are words that describe action verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
Example:
During group projects, they work together quickly and effectively.
Note: Also notice that this is a complex sentence. You have both a dependent and independent clause combined with a comma.
During group projects, (dependent clause / prepositional phrase [During=location in time])
they work together quickly and effectively. (independent)
An adverb may tell when, where, or how about an action verb.
An adverb may also modify an adjective.
…very quickly and very effectively.
Adverbs may also modify other adverbs.

13. Adverbs Not Parallel Structure
During group projects, they work together quickly and are effective.
Parallel Structure
During group projects, they work together quickly and effectively.

14. Parallel Structure: Gerunds
Example:
Gerunds are words that are formed with verbs but act as nouns.
He enjoys playing soccer, reading comics, and lifting weights.
They’re very easy to spot, since every gerund is a verb with ing tacked to its tail.
To find gerunds in sentences, just look for a verb +ing that is used as a noun.

15. Gerunds Not Parallel Structure
He enjoys playing soccer, reading comics, and weight lifting.
Parallel Structure
He enjoys playing soccer, reading comics, and lifting weights.

16. This principal, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions similar in content and function be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function. The familiar Beatitudes exemplify the virtue of parallel construction.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

17. Now you try!
Change the following sentences to parallel structure.