This presentation explains the difference between

parallel and non-parallel

elements.

This presentation explains the difference between

parallel and non-parallel

elements.

ParallelismParallelism

ParallelismParallelismParallelismParallelism

Parallelism refers to matching grammatical structures in Parallelism refers to matching grammatical structures in sentences. Elements in a sentence that have the same sentences. Elements in a sentence that have the same function or express similar ideas should be grammatically function or express similar ideas should be grammatically parallel, or grammatically matched. parallel, or grammatically matched.

Parallelism is used effectively as a rhetorical device Parallelism is used effectively as a rhetorical device throughout literature and in speeches, advertising copy, throughout literature and in speeches, advertising copy, and popular songs.and popular songs.

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Examples of ParallelismExamples of ParallelismExamples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

Winston Churchill did Winston Churchill did notnot say say• I have nothing to offer but bleedI have nothing to offer but bleedinging, toil, tears, , toil, tears,

and sweatand sweatinging..

He saidHe said• I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears

and sweat.and sweat.

Churchill understood parallelism!Churchill understood parallelism!

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Examples of ParallelismExamples of ParallelismExamples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.—Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.—Joseph AddisonJoseph Addison

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.—John F. Kennedycan do for your country.—John F. Kennedy

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Not Parallel Not Parallel

The housekeeper looked inside the The housekeeper looked inside the drawers, the bookcase, and under the drawers, the bookcase, and under the recliner.recliner.

Parallel Parallel

The housekeeper looked inside the The housekeeper looked inside the drawers, on top of the bookcase, and drawers, on top of the bookcase, and under the recliner.under the recliner.

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Not Parallel Not Parallel

The man was lonely, old, and a miser.The man was lonely, old, and a miser.

Parallel Parallel

The man was lonely, old, and miserly.The man was lonely, old, and miserly.

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ParallelismParallelism looks like this: looks like this:

Items in a series must have Items in a series must have parallel structure.parallel structure.Items in a series must have Items in a series must have parallel structure.parallel structure.

ShaneShane ,, , , andand

ShaneShane ,, , , andand

..

..

This is a correct example:This is a correct example:This is a correct example:This is a correct example:

ShaneShane ateate the pizza,the pizza, wipedwiped his lips, andhis lips, and burpedburped with contentment.with contentment.

Ate = past tense verb; wiped = past tense verb; and burped =

past tense verb.

Ate = past tense verb; wiped = past tense verb; and burped =

past tense verb.

Non-parallel structureNon-parallel structure looks like this:looks like this:

Don’t create problems by mixing Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical elements.grammatical elements.Don’t create problems by mixing Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical elements.grammatical elements.

ShaneShane ,, , , andand

ShaneShane ,, , , andand

..

..

Non-parallel structure looks like Non-parallel structure looks like this:this:Non-parallel structure looks like Non-parallel structure looks like this:this:

ShaneShane ateate the pizza,the pizza, wipedwiped his lips, andhis lips, and burpingburping with contentment.with contentment.

Now look what you’ve done! Ate and wiped = past tense verbs, but

burping = present participle!

Now look what you’ve done! Ate and wiped = past tense verbs, but

burping = present participle!

Practice - Part 1Practice - Part 1Practice - Part 1Practice - Part 1

Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.the sentence that has no errors in structure.

Let’s see how you perform!

Let’s see how you perform!

Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1

A.A. Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.visitors.

B.B. Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.

C.C. Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.visitors.

A.A. Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.visitors.

B.B. Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.visitors.

C.C. Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.visitors.

Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2

A.A. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.assignment sheet.

B.B. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.assignment sheet.

C.C. During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.assignment sheet.

A.A. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on with Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.the assignment sheet.

B.B. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.assignment sheet.

C.C. During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the Brittney, to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.assignment sheet.

Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3

A.A. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and he searched under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.inside the refrigerator.

B.B. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.and inside the refrigerator.

C.C. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and inside the under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.refrigerator.

A.A. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and he searched under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.inside the refrigerator.

B.B. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.and inside the refrigerator.

C.C. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the bed, on his desk, and inside the under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.refrigerator.

Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4

A.A. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and didn’t snack on smiled at the customers, and didn’t snack on the chicken nuggets.the chicken nuggets.

B.B. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, would be smiling at the customers, and would would be smiling at the customers, and would not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.

C.C. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and no snacking on smiled at the customers, and no snacking on the chicken nuggets.the chicken nuggets.

A.A. The manager wanted staff who arrived on The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and didn’t time, smiled at the customers, and didn’t snack on the chicken nuggets.snack on the chicken nuggets.

B.B. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, would be smiling at the customers, and would would be smiling at the customers, and would not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.not be snacking on the chicken nuggets.

C.C. The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, The manager wanted staff who arrived on time, smiled at the customers, and no snacking on smiled at the customers, and no snacking on the chicken nuggets.the chicken nuggets.

Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5

A. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.

B. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, the fact that he carried on stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.

C. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate being woken up late at night, having stupid conversations, and he constantly requested her math homework.

A. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.

B. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate his late night calls, the fact that he carried on stupid conversations, and requests for her math homework.

C. After giving Jeremy her phone number, Felicia had to tolerate being woken up late at night, having stupid conversations, and he constantly requested her math homework.

Practice - Part 2Practice - Part 2Practice - Part 2Practice - Part 2

Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the correct word or phrase within the context the correct word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence.suggested by the sentence.

Now try a different

type!

Now try a different

type!

Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6

Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the door.he opened the door.

A.A.simmered tomato sauce in the pansimmered tomato sauce in the panB.B.tomato sauce simmering in the pantomato sauce simmering in the panC.C.tomato sauce that simmered in the pantomato sauce that simmered in the panD.D.saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pansaucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan

Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as bread baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the door.he opened the door.

A.A.simmered tomato sauce in the pansimmered tomato sauce in the panB.B.tomato sauce simmering in the pantomato sauce simmering in the panC.C.tomato sauce that simmered in the pantomato sauce that simmered in the panD.D.saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pansaucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan

Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7

During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.

A.A.that we eat delicious seafoodthat we eat delicious seafoodB.B.that eating delicious seafood occursthat eating delicious seafood occursC.C.to eat delicious seafoodto eat delicious seafoodD.D.eating delicious seafoodeating delicious seafood

During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope During our vacation in the Bahamas, we hope __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to __________, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, and to dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.dance ourselves dizzy at reggae clubs.

A.A.that we eat delicious seafoodthat we eat delicious seafoodB.B.that eating delicious seafood occursthat eating delicious seafood occursC.C.to eat delicious seafoodto eat delicious seafoodD.D.eating delicious seafoodeating delicious seafood

Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8

Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.

A.A.he looked goodhe looked goodB.B.being good lookingbeing good lookingC.C.one handsome man to look atone handsome man to look atD.D.handsomehandsome

Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a for otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.date; he was tall, intelligent, and __________.

A.A.he looked goodhe looked goodB.B.being good lookingbeing good lookingC.C.one handsome man to look atone handsome man to look atD.D.handsomehandsome

Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9

To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and __________.__________.

A.A.bought an expensive gold necklace at the bought an expensive gold necklace at the jewelry storejewelry storeB.B.the jeweler for an expensive gold necklacethe jeweler for an expensive gold necklaceC.C.the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold necklacenecklaceD.D.to buy an expensive gold necklaceto buy an expensive gold necklace

To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for To win Laurie’s love, Albert visited the florist for roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and roses, the drugstore for a box of chocolates, and __________.__________.

A.A.bought an expensive gold necklace at the bought an expensive gold necklace at the jewelry storejewelry storeB.B.the jeweler for an expensive gold necklacethe jeweler for an expensive gold necklaceC.C.the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold the jeweler where he bought an expensive gold necklacenecklaceD.D.to buy an expensive gold necklaceto buy an expensive gold necklace

Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10

Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, too noisy, and _________.too noisy, and _________.

A.A.because he picks his teeth with his fingersbecause he picks his teeth with his fingersB.B.too impolitetoo impoliteC.C.is the most impolite man she has ever metis the most impolite man she has ever metD.D.Picking his teeth with his fingersPicking his teeth with his fingers

Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, Kimberly won’t date Terry because he is too short, too noisy, and _________.too noisy, and _________.

A.A.because he picks his teeth with his fingersbecause he picks his teeth with his fingersB.B.too impolitetoo impoliteC.C.is the most impolite man she has ever metis the most impolite man she has ever metD.D.Picking his teeth with his fingersPicking his teeth with his fingers

chomp!

chomp!

You are AWESOME, andyou are SMART, andyou are SMART, and

you are WONDERFUL!you are WONDERFUL!(see what that is?)(see what that is?)

You are AWESOME, andyou are SMART, andyou are SMART, and

you are WONDERFUL!you are WONDERFUL!(see what that is?)(see what that is?)

The End.The End.