Parallel structure
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The document discusses the concept of parallelism in writing, which refers to maintaining a consistent grammatical structure between different elements in a sentence, such as phrases or clauses, to create a sense of balance. It provides examples to illustrate parallel and unparallel constructions, noting that parallelism can occur within single sentences or between full sentences in a paragraph. The purpose is to emphasize ideas and concepts through repetition of grammatical patterns.
Parallel structure
- 1. Texas A&M International University Writing Center Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall 203 www.tamiu.edu/uc/writingcenter writingcenter@tamiu.edu 956.326.2884
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- 3. Parallelism happens when balance is maintained between things and/or ideas (words, phrases, or clauses). Balance occurs through using identical grammatical constructions within sentences.
- 4. Use a type of connective word or phrase, such as a coordinating or correlative conjunction. For And Nor But Or Yet So Correlative Conjunctions Not Only ... But Also Both … And Either … Or Neither … Nor Coordinating Conjunctions
- 5. Example Roger went to Olive Garden and gulped down mounds of spaghetti, loaves of bread, and pounds of Tiramisu. In the example, the list follows this pattern: adjective + preposition + noun, adjective + preposition + noun, adjective + preposition + noun Maintaining that structure keeps the sentence parallel.
- 6. Example Roger went to Olive Garden and gulped down mounds of spaghetti, bread, and pounds of Tiramisu. In this version, the list follows this pattern: adjective + preposition + noun, noun, adjective + preposition + noun. The switch in the pattern makes this sentence unparalleled.
- 7. Unparalleled Samantha enjoys climbing mountains, running marathons, and to play soccer. Parallel Samantha enjoys climbing mountains, running marathons, and playing soccer.
- 8. Unparalleled Parallel Roxanne, not only an underpaid waitress but also a wannabe crime fighter, dashed into the burning building to assist in rescue efforts. Roxanne, not only an underpaid waitress at Denny’s but also determined to be a hero, dashed into the burning building to assist in rescue efforts.
- 9. Parallelism may also occur between whole sentences within paragraphs. The repetition of grammatical constructions throughout a paragraph can emphasize the importance of an issue. For example, read Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Pay close attention to how he constantly repeats phrases to emphasize ideas.
- 10. “But one hundred years later, the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.”
- 11. When listing, make sure you use the same constructions. One way to do this is to write down your list separately and make sure all elements are parallel. Read your sentences out loud. One reason why unparalleled sentences don’t work is that they sound awkward.