1. Parallel Structure When you join several ideas in a sentence, it is important that they are equal, related, and balanced.

2. How do you balance your ideas? You balance … an adjective with an adjective a phrase with a phrase a clause with a clause This balancing of ideas is called parallel structure in writing. You combine words, phrases, and clauses by using coordinating conjunctions like and.

3. A successful athlete is three things: healthy, alert, and showing consideration. Not Parallel two adjectives (healthy, alert) and a phrase (showing consideration) Why? How can we correct the structure?

4. Corrected Parallel Structure Three adjectives (healthy, alert, & considerate) A successful athlete is three things: healthy, alert, and considerate.

5. It takes a careful use of time to play a sport, to keep up with schoolwork, and social life. Not Parallel two phrases (to play a sport, to keep up with school work) and a noun (social life). Why? How can we correct the structure?

6. Corrected Parallel Structure Three phrases: to play a sport & to keep up with schoolwork & to have a social life It takes a careful use of time to play a sport, to keep up with schoolwork, and to have a social life.

7. I promised that I would spend more time studying and to help out more around the house. Not Parallel a clause (that I would spend more time studying) and a phrase (to help out more around the house). Why? How can we correct the structure?

8. Corrected Parallel Structure Two clauses: that I would spend more time studying & that I would help out more around the house I promised that I would spend more time studying and that I would help out more around the house.