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Using Parallel
Structures

June 28, 2024

Agenda
• Introduction to Parallel Structures • Quiz Instructions
• Examples of Parallel Structures • Quiz Question 1
• Benefits of Using Parallel Structures
• Quiz Question 2
• Common Mistakes with Parallel Structures
• Quiz Question 3
• How to Create Parallel Structures
• Quiz Question 4
• Using Parallel Structures in Lists
• Quiz Question 5
• Using Parallel Structures in Comparisons
• Parallel Structures in Speeches and Presentations • Answers to Quiz Question 1
• Parallel Structures in Professional Writing • Answers to Quiz Question 2
• Parallel Structures in Creative Writing • Answers to Quiz Question 3
• Answers to Quiz Question 4 and 5
Introduction to Parallel Structures

Definition of Parallel Structures Importance in Writing

● Parallel structures are repetitive grammatical ● Enhances clarity by making sentences easier
patterns. to read.

● They involve using the same pattern of words ● Improves rhythm and flow, making writing
to show equal importance. more engaging.

● Ensures consistency and balance within a ● Aids in persuasiveness by emphasizing key

sentence or paragraph. points.

Plus tip:
Consider adding personal or
industry-specific examples to
illustrate the concept of parallel
structures for your audience.
 Plus tip:
Feel free to replace the examples

Examples of Parallel Structures

with sentences more relevant to
your specific context or audience,
ensuring they still demonstrate
clear parallel structures.

1 She likes cooking, jogging, and 4 In his free time, he enjoys hiking,
reading. swimming, and biking.

The coach said that we should get

plenty of sleep, not eat too much, The company strives to be efficient,
2 5
and do some warm-up exercises reliable, and affordable.
before the game.

The teacher asked the students to

The project involves research,
3 write their essays quickly, 6
planning, and implementation.
accurately, and thoroughly.
 Plus tip:
Feel free to add specific examples

Benefits of Using Parallel Structures

or case studies to illustrate each
benefit more concretely.

1 2 3 4

Enhances clarity by Creates a pleasing Strengthens arguments Increases persuasion by

making sentences easier rhythm, making the by presenting ideas in a emphasizing key points
to read and understand. writing more engaging balanced and logical effectively and
and memorable. manner. consistently.
 Plus tip:
Use specific examples to illustrate

Common Mistakes with Parallel Structures

each mistake for better
understanding.

Mixing different grammatical Inconsistent use of tenses can Unequal length in phrases or
forms, such as combining break the flow and clarity of clauses can make sentences
nouns with verb phrases, parallel structures. awkward and hard to follow.
disrupts parallelism.
 Plus tip:
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examples or sentences from your

How to Create Parallel Structures own writing where you have applied
these steps. This will make the
content more relatable and practical
for your audience.

Identify Parts of the Choose a Apply the Chosen

Sentence Consistent Pattern Pattern Review and Edit

Determine the elements in Decide on a grammatical Rewrite the elements using Read the sentence to ensure
your sentence that you want pattern to follow for all the chosen grammatical it flows smoothly and the
to make parallel. These elements. Ensure the same pattern. Ensure each parallel structure enhances
could be words, phrases, or form is used consistently, element follows the same clarity. Make any necessary
clauses that perform similar whether they are nouns, structure to maintain adjustments to improve
functions. verbs, adjectives, or parallelism. readability and impact.

List of elements to clauses.grammatical pattern

Chosen Revised sentence with Polished sentence
parallelize Template for sentence parallel structure Improved readability
Understanding of sentence structure Consistency check of Final review notes
structure elements
Using Parallel Structures in Lists

Importance of Parallelism in Lists Tips for Maintaining Parallelism

Ensures clarity and readability by maintaining Use the same grammatical form for each item
consistent structure. (e.g., all nouns, all verbs).

Creates a rhythm and flow that makes the list Start each bullet point with the same part of
more engaging. speech for consistency.

Helps highlight the relationship between items, Keep the length of each item similar to avoid
emphasizing their equal importance. imbalance and confusion.

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specific examples relevant to your
industry or field to illustrate the
points effectively.
 Plus tip:
Emphasize the importance of

Using Parallel Structures in Comparisons

consistency in grammatical
structures when making
comparisons to avoid confusion and
enhance readability.

Importance of Parallel Structure in Examples of Parallel Structure in

Comparisons Comparisons

• Ensures clarity by keeping sentence elements • Incorrect: She likes reading more than to write.
consistent.
• Correct: She likes reading more than writing.
• Improves readability, making comparisons
• Incorrect: He is smarter and works harder than
easier to understand.
anyone.
• Helps emphasize similarities or differences
• Correct: He is smarter and harder-working than
effectively.
anyone.
Parallel Structures in Speeches and Presentations

Enhancing Clarity and Impact Creating Rhythm and Flow

• Parallel structures make complex ideas easier to • Parallelism adds a rhythmic quality to speeches.
understand.
• It allows for smoother transitions between
• They emphasize key points, making speeches points.
more memorable.
• Repetition of structures enhances the overall
• Consistent patterns help maintain audience flow of the presentation.
engagement.

Plus tip:
Customize this slide by adding
examples from famous speeches
that effectively use parallel
structures.
 Plus tip:
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Parallel Structures in Professional Writing

with your specific industry or the
type of professional documents you
frequently produce.

Enhanced Effective
Improved Clarity Professional Tone
Readability Communication

Parallel structures make Using parallelism Maintaining parallel Parallel structures help
complex documents ensures that ideas are structures contributes in effectively conveying
easier to read by presented clearly and to a polished and messages, as they allow
creating consistency logically, reducing professional tone, which the reader to focus on
and predictability in ambiguity and making is crucial in business the content rather than
sentence patterns, the writer’s argument writing to convey being distracted by
aiding reader more persuasive. competence and varied sentence
comprehension. reliability. structures.
Parallel Structures in Creative Writing

Enhancing Rhythm

Using parallel structures can create a rhythmic flow, making the text more engaging
and memorable.

Emphasizing Key Points

Parallelism can highlight important ideas, making them stand out and resonate with
the reader.

Creating Symmetry

Plus tip:
Balanced sentences provide a sense of symmetry, making the writing aesthetically
Consider adding examples from
pleasing and easier to read. famous literary works to illustrate
how parallel structures are
effectively used.
 Quiz
Instructions The following slides contain a quiz
designed to test your understanding of
parallel structures. You will be asked to
identify, correct, and create parallel
structures, as well as to recall the
benefits and common mistakes
associated with their use. Read each
question carefully and select the best

Plus tip: answer. Good luck!

Consider customizing the
instructions based on the specific
audience or context of the
presentation to make it more
engaging.
 Plus tip:
You can customize this quiz

Quiz Question 1
question by changing the sentences
to reflect specific examples from
your own writing.

1 2 3 4

Which of the following A. She likes reading, to B. He enjoys playing C. They love hiking,

sentences uses jog, and cooking. basketball, to swim, and running, and cycling.

parallel structure biking.

correctly?
 Plus tip:
Use this quiz question to test the

Quiz Question 2
audience's understanding of
correcting non-parallel structures.
Encourage them to identify, correct,
and explain the parallel structure
rule.

1 2 3 4

Identify the error in Correct the sentence to What is the parallel Explain why maintaining

the following maintain parallel structure rule applied in parallel structure is

sentence: 'She likes structure. this correction? important in this

cooking, jogging, and context.

to read.'
Quiz Question 3

Create a sentence that lists three activities Example: She likes hiking, swimming, and
using parallel structure. cycling.

Incorrect: She likes hiking, swimming, and to Correct: She likes hiking, swimming, and
ride a bike. cycling.
 Plus tip:
Customize the question to match

Quiz Question 4
the specific benefits discussed
earlier in your presentation. Ensure
the correct answer is highlighted or
explained in the answer slide.

What are the benefits of using parallel structures A. They enhance clarity and readability.
in writing?

B. They confuse the reader. C. They reduce the effectiveness of the message.
 Plus tip:
Tailor the question to reflect

Quiz Question 5
common mistakes in parallel
structures. Ensure the correct
answer clearly demonstrates proper
parallelism.

1 Identify the sentence with a parallel structure:

2 A. She likes running, to swim, and biking.

3 B. He enjoys reading, writing, and to paint.

4 C. They were laughing, singing, and dancing.

 Answers to Quiz Question 1

The correct answer to Quiz Question 1 is: Sentence B.

This sentence correctly uses parallel structure by
ensuring that all elements in the list are in the same
grammatical form. For example, 'Jogging, swimming, and
cycling' are all gerunds, which makes the sentence clear
and easy to read. In contrast, sentences that mix forms,
such as 'Jogging, to swim, and cycling,' disrupt the flow
Plus tip:
You can customize this slide by
replacing the example with one
and can confuse readers. from your own materials or
adjusting the explanation to better
match your students’ level of
understanding.
 Answers to The correct answer to Quiz Question 2 is:
Quiz Question "To run, to swim, and to cycle." This
2 correction ensures that all items in the
series are in the same infinitive form,
maintaining parallel structure. Originally,
the sentence might have been: "To run,
swimming, and cycling," which mixes
different grammatical forms and disrupts
the flow and clarity. By using the same

Plus tip: form, the sentence is more readable and

Customize the explanation by
providing the original sentence from rhythmical.
your quiz question and highlighting
the specific corrections made to
achieve parallel structure.
 Answers to
Quiz Question The correct answer for Quiz Question 3,

3 which required creating parallel

structures from scratch, is: 'She likes
reading, biking, and cooking.' This
sentence is parallel because it uses a
consistent grammatical structure for each
element in the list (gerunds: reading,
biking, cooking). Parallelism enhances
readability and ensures each item carries
Plus tip:
You can customize this slide by
equal weight.
substituting different activities or
elements that fit your audience's
interests or the context of your
presentation.
Answers to Quiz Question 4 and 5

Answer to Quiz Question 4 Answer to Quiz Question 5

• Parallel structures provide clarity by making • Mismatch in grammatical forms, such as

sentences easier to read and understand. mixing nouns and verbs.

• They create rhythm and balance, enhancing • Inconsistent use of tense or voice within a list
the flow of writing. or sentence.

• They can be persuasive, making arguments • Omission of necessary conjunctions or

more compelling and memorable. articles for parallelism.

Plus tip:
Customize the content by adding
specific examples from the quiz
questions provided earlier.