1. Writing Wednesday
Parallel Structure

2. Parallel Structure, defined:
using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance
can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level
Usually joined with a coordinating conjunction (‘fanboys’)

3. Parallel Structure: gerunds & infinitives
gerund: “ing” form of words
Parallel: Sammie likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
infinitive: verbal consisting of the word “to” plus a verb
Parallel: Sammie likes to hike, to swim, & to bike. OR
Parallel: Sammie likes to hike, swim, & bike.

4. Faulty Parallel Structure
DO NOT MIX FORMS!
Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bike
Not Parallel: The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel: The manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Not Parallel: The teacher said he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.
Parallel: The teacher said he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

5. Even more!
Lists: Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
Not Parallel: Mikey’s toys were an old shoe, a bear that was stuffed, and he had a chewed up blanket.
Parallel: Mikey’s toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed up blanket.
Not Parallel: She likes to listen to music and reading the latest novels.
Parallel: She likes listening to music and reading the latest novels.