PARALLELISM
Also known as Parallel Structure
Friday, January 16, 15
What exactly is parallelism?
●The balance between two or more similar words,
phrases or clauses.
●Parallelism is also called parallel structure or parallel
construction.
● myenglishpages.com
Friday, January 16, 15
Why is Parallelism Important?
●Parallelism prevents awkwardness, promotes clarity
and improves writing style and readability.
● myenglishpages.com
Friday, January 16, 15
Example of Parallelism
●“A tie that was so hideous, so old, so wide, so
unmatchable, so thick, so stained, that Brian made me
wear his.” From The Pleasure of my Company by Steve Martin
●Questions:
●What do you notice about this sentence?
●Do you notice a pattern?
●Do you notice balance?
Friday, January 16, 15
Example of Parallelism
●“A tie that was so hideous, so old, so wide, so
unmatchable, so thick, so stained, that Brian made me
wear his.” From The Pleasure of my Company by Steve Martin
●What would make this sentence NOT parallel?
Friday, January 16, 15
NOT Parallel
●“A tie that was so hideous, so old, wide, unmatchable,
thick, so stained, that Brian made me wear his.” From The
Pleasure of my Company by Steve Martin
Friday, January 16, 15
Another example
● He liked playing basketball and riding horses.
Or
● He liked to play basketball and to ride horses.
Not
● He liked playing basketball and to ride horses.
Friday, January 16, 15
Rules of Parallelism
●Parallelism is used to balance sentences.
●Parallelism is used with elements joined by
coordinating conjunctions.
●Example:My mother likes cooking and reading.
(Correct)
●My mother likes cooking and to read. (Incorrect)
● myenglishpages.com
Friday, January 16, 15
Parallelism Rules Continued…
●Parallelism can be used in lists or series.
●Example:
●This task can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups
of four. (Correct)
●This task can be done individually, in pairs, or can be
done in groups of four. (Incorrect)
● myenglishpages.com
Friday, January 16, 15
Parallelism Rules Continued…
●Parallelism is used when comparing things.
●Example:She is mad about watching TV more than
reading a book. (Correct)
●She is mad about watching TV more than to read a
book. (Incorrect)
● myenglishpages.com
Friday, January 16, 15
Now it’s your turn!
●Directions for table groups:
●1. Work with your table group to identify the sentence
with parallel structure.
●2. Highlight the parallel structure.
●3. Choose one person to present why the sentence you
chose has correct parallel structure.
●4. Each table group has different sentences.
Friday, January 16, 15
Table 1 Sentences
●I learned to be attentive to my teachers and to do my
homework.
●I learned to be attentive to my teachers and I do my
homework.
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Table 2 Sentences
●This is what I want: to study hard, to get the best
grades and getting a good job when I graduate.
●This is what I want: to study hard, to get the best
grades and to get a good job when I graduate.
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Table 3 Sentences
●I consider your behavior rude, irresponsible, and I think
it is offensive.
●I consider your behavior rude, irresponsible, and
offensive.
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Table 4 Sentences
●We analyzed the French, the Italian, Spanish, and
Portuguese populations.
●We analyzed the French, the Italian, the Spanish, and
the Portuguese populations.
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Table 5 Sentences
●Melvin enjoys rock music, football and to collect
stamps.
●Melvin enjoys listening to rock music, playing football,
and collecting stamps.
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Independent
●Directions
●1. Look at the photo
●2. Create your own sentence using parallelism.
●4. Turn in before you leave
5. Have a great day!
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Example of sentence created from a
photo…
1. Derrick Rose is good at dribbling, shooting, and
scoring.
2. Derrick Rose likes to dribble and to shoot the
basketball.
Friday, January 16, 15