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Parallel Structure - A Writing Tool<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Our brains subconsciously seek symmetry and consistency when interpreting the written word. Once we establish that symmetry, understanding becomes easier. Parallel construction is a device that satisfies the reader's quest for symmetry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Parallel structure enhances your writing style because it maintains consistency of form in sentences. In simpler terms, similar elements in a sentence should have the same grammatical construction. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Here are three situations when you should consider parallel structure when writing:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"},"subContentId":"23aaafc8-50fd-41db-9bfc-f94c3b1e7082"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Here is a sentence written by a novice writer:<\/strong><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Aunt May's gardening chores for the day included repotting the ivy, to plant bulbs, and the roses needed pruning.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Does this sentence sound awkward to you? That's because the three elements following the word included<\/em> have three different grammatical constructions: a gerund (repotting), an infinitive (to plant), and an independent clause (the roses needed pruning).<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Let's rephrase the sentence so that the elements are similar in their construction:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Aunt May's gardening chores for the day included repotting the ivy, planting bulbs, and pruning the roses.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Now all three like elements in the sentence are gerund phrases (a gerund is an -ing verb that functions as a noun). By recasting them in this way, we've given the sentence symmetry or parallel construction. The list is easier to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"3666666a-b52c-461e-a99f-bff7aea77182","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Use the same grammatical structure when listing phrases."},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Here is a sentence written by a novice writer:<\/strong><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Aunt May's evening chores included cleaning the kitchen and the menu for the next day was written.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Does this sentence sound awkward to you? That's because the elements on either side of the 'and' are not the same grammatical construction - they are not parallel. Our brains notice the lack of rhythm. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Let's rephrase the sentence so that the elements on either side of the 'and'<\/em> are similar in their construction:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Aunt May's evening chores included cleaning the kitchen and creating a menu for the next day.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Now both phrases on either side of the 'and' start with 'ing' words. By recasting them in this way, we've given the sentence symmetry or parallel construction. Again, it's easier to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Here's a similar example:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

I will sing a song or recite a poem, but not both. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Sing and recite are both future tense verbs on either side of the conjunction 'or.' Our brains recognize the comparison.<\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"4663479d-dc4e-4509-8d39-d9c415ad9fa4","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Use the same grammatical structure for a word or phrase on either side of a conjunction."},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Here's an example of some headings from an agenda that do not reflect parallel construction:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 Approving the minutes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 President's report.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 The treasurer will update the board members on the portfolio<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 Bring to the table new business<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

When we revise the agenda headings using parallel construction, it might look like the following:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 Minutes' approval<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 President's report<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 Treasurer's portfolio update<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\uf0b7 New business<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Notice that the brain will have a much easier time absorbing our revised agenda because the symmetry is immediately recognized, whereas the first list leaves the brain futilely searching for consistency<\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"00de1f1b-34b8-484a-839a-4abc40622c31","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Use the same grammatical structure when creating headings in a report."}],"hTag":"h2"},"library":"H5P.Accordion 1.0","metadata":{"contentType":"Accordion","license":"U","title":"parallel structure within a list"},"subContentId":"7634ee26-67b9-453c-9171-7453eac6df15"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Now, test yourself to see if you can identify parallel structure, and how it improves the style of a sentence, a list, or headings in a report.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"},"subContentId":"a09f36da-497c-4fbc-a954-6ad294383b8b"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"true","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

This sentence contains correct parallel structure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I have many concerns with this project including the cost of implementation, the time it will take to complete, and the staff we'll need to complete it.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"4d3fcc39-a238-4627-b5f4-d399172c0d57"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"false","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

This sentence contains correct parallel structure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I haven't been running in a long time because I've been lazy, I've been busy, and eating is something I've been doing a lot of lately.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"7c6cd7a6-8abb-4976-8a7a-48a6d9463ecd"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"true","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

This sentence contains correct parallel structure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Franklin will need a new ruler, a three-inch binder, and a larger winter coat for school in September.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"ec310038-ef34-4a49-8722-130215bf4b60"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"true","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

This sentence contains correct parallel structure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I haven't been exercising often because I've been lazy, busy, and eating a lot.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"a6637ce5-3a85-4fa3-a06f-9115e00bcda1"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"true","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

The following are effective headings in a report because the parallel structure is correct:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The problem with current signage<\/p>\n\n

The cost to add new signage<\/p>\n\n

The solution for funding the signage project<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"79d12863-d733-4d90-8a49-03ca12630ed9"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"false","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

The following are effective headings in a report because the parallel structure is correct:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The client's fitness test results<\/p>\n\n

Program and cost<\/p>\n\n

Time of day for the program<\/p>\n\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"051a6b2e-9366-401c-8976-b0b88e013d7b"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"correct":"true","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"confirmCheckDialog":false,"confirmRetryDialog":false,"autoCheck":false},"l10n":{"trueText":"True","falseText":"False","score":"You got @score of @total points","checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","showSolutionButton":"Show solution","tryAgain":"Retry","wrongAnswerMessage":"Wrong answer","correctAnswerMessage":"Correct answer","scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again."},"confirmCheck":{"header":"Finish ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to finish ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Finish"},"confirmRetry":{"header":"Retry ?","body":"Are you sure you wish to retry ?","cancelLabel":"Cancel","confirmLabel":"Confirm"},"question":"

The following are effective headings in a report because the parallel structure is correct:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The client's fitness goals<\/p>\n\n

The client's fitness test results<\/p>\n\n

The client's budget and availability<\/p>\n\n

The client's fitness program <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.TrueFalse 1.8","metadata":{"contentType":"True\/False Question","license":"U","title":"Untitled True\/False Question"},"subContentId":"b5abb121-c9cf-46e7-8637-31bcc2f9e98c"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"media":{"disableImageZooming":false},"taskDescription":"

Drag the words into the correct boxes making the sentences grammatically parallel.<\/p>\n","overallFeedback":[{"from":0,"to":100}],"checkAnswer":"Check","submitAnswer":"Submit","tryAgain":"Retry","showSolution":"Show solution","dropZoneIndex":"Drop Zone @index.","empty":"Drop Zone @index is empty.","contains":"Drop Zone @index contains draggable @draggable.","ariaDraggableIndex":"@index of @count draggables.","tipLabel":"Show tip","correctText":"Correct!","incorrectText":"Incorrect!","resetDropTitle":"Reset drop","resetDropDescription":"Are you sure you want to reset this drop zone?","grabbed":"Draggable is grabbed.","cancelledDragging":"Cancelled dragging.","correctAnswer":"Correct answer:","feedbackHeader":"Feedback","behaviour":{"enableRetry":true,"enableSolutionsButton":true,"enableCheckButton":true,"instantFeedback":false},"scoreBarLabel":"You got :num out of :total points","a11yCheck":"Check the answers. The responses will be marked as correct, incorrect, or unanswered.","a11yShowSolution":"Show the solution. The task will be marked with its correct solution.","a11yRetry":"Retry the task. Reset all responses and start the task over again.","textField":"Paris, France is a beautiful city to visit. I have been to Paris three times: in the spring, *summer*, and winter. Even though France does not get as much snow as Canada, I still needed to pack my warm coat, heavy boats, and *wool toque*. I loved shopping and *walking* through the city of love during the holiday season. However, I recommend visiting Paris either *early spring* or late summer for the best experience."},"library":"H5P.DragText 1.10","metadata":{"contentType":"Drag the Words","license":"U","title":"Untitled Drag the Words"},"subContentId":"297e2ae3-cee7-498c-a803-2a2844acc405"},"useSeparator":"auto"}]}

Parallel Structure

Sherri Telenko