Parallel To The Bold Word

Parallel to the Bold Word: Mastering Parallel Structure in Writing

This article delves into the intricacies of parallel structure, a crucial element of effective and impactful writing. Understanding and correctly applying parallel structure significantly enhances the clarity, readability, and overall professionalism of your work, whether it's a blog post, academic paper, or marketing copy. We'll explore what parallel structure is, why it's important, how to identify and correct parallel structure errors, and provide numerous examples to solidify your understanding. Mastering parallel structure will elevate your writing to a new level of precision and polish.

What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is a grammatical construction where two or more similar grammatical elements – words, phrases, or clauses – are arranged in a similar way within a sentence or paragraph. This creates a sense of balance, rhythm, and clarity, making your writing more aesthetically pleasing and easier to comprehend. Think of it as a grammatical mirror reflecting a consistent structure. It's about creating symmetry in your sentence construction, ensuring that elements of equal importance receive equal grammatical treatment. When elements are not parallel, it creates an imbalance that can disrupt the flow and clarity of your writing.

Why is Parallel Structure Important?

The importance of parallel structure extends beyond mere aesthetics. It serves several vital functions:

• Clarity: Parallel structure eliminates ambiguity and makes it easier for the reader to understand the relationship between different elements in a sentence. When elements are presented in a consistent manner, the reader's cognitive load is reduced, allowing for easier comprehension.

• Emphasis: By highlighting the similarity between elements, parallel structure emphasizes their equal importance. This technique can be used to draw attention to specific points or ideas.

• Readability: Parallel structure contributes to smoother, more rhythmic writing. The balanced structure creates a pleasing flow that engages the reader and makes the text more enjoyable to read.

• Professionalism: Correctly using parallel structure demonstrates attention to detail and a mastery of grammar, reflecting professionalism and credibility. Errors in parallel structure can appear careless and undermine the overall impact of your writing.

Identifying and Correcting Parallel Structure Errors

Recognizing and correcting parallel structure errors is a crucial skill. Here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify the elements to be compared or contrasted: Determine which words, phrases, or clauses are intended to be parallel. Look for lists, series, or comparisons.

2. Analyze the grammatical structure of each element: Determine the grammatical form of each element (e.g., noun, verb, adjective, prepositional phrase, infinitive phrase, gerund phrase, clause).

3. Ensure consistency in grammatical form: All elements in the parallel structure must share the same grammatical form. If they don't, it's a parallel structure error.

4. Correct the error: Revise the sentence to ensure that all elements have the same grammatical form. This may involve changing word order, adding or removing words, or changing the grammatical structure of one or more elements.

Common Types of Parallel Structure Errors and Corrections:

Let's examine some common types of parallel structure errors and how to fix them:

• Incorrect: She enjoys swimming, biking, and to hike.

• Correct: She enjoys swimming, biking, and hiking. (All elements are gerunds)

• Incorrect: He is intelligent, ambitious, and works hard.

• Correct: He is intelligent, ambitious, and hardworking. (All elements are adjectives) Or: He is intelligent, ambitious, and works diligently. (All elements are verb phrases)

• Incorrect: The teacher asked the students to read the chapter, answer the questions, and that they write an essay.

• Correct: The teacher asked the students to read the chapter, answer the questions, and write an essay. (All elements are infinitive phrases)

• Incorrect: My favorite activities are playing the guitar, to cook delicious meals, and going on long walks.

• Correct: My favorite activities are playing the guitar, cooking delicious meals, and going on long walks. (All elements are gerund phrases)

• Incorrect: The report was both lengthy and it was confusing.

• Correct: The report was both lengthy and confusing. (Both elements are adjectives)

Advanced Parallelism: Coordinating Conjunctions and Correlative Conjunctions

Parallel structure becomes even more crucial when using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) and correlative conjunctions (both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also). These conjunctions connect parallel elements, so ensuring the parallelism is vital for clarity and understanding.

• Incorrect: She is not only intelligent but also she is kind.

• Correct: She is not only intelligent but also kind.

• Incorrect: He is both a talented musician and a skilled painter.

• Correct: He is both a talented musician and a skilled painter. (Both elements are noun phrases)

• Incorrect: Either you will study hard, or you will fail the exam.

• Correct: You will either study hard or fail the exam.

Parallel Structure in Lists and Outlines:

Parallel structure is paramount when creating lists and outlines. Inconsistency in the grammatical structure of list items or outline points creates confusion and weakens the overall presentation.

• Incorrect:

  • Go to the store.
  • Buy milk.
  • Picking up bread.

• Correct:

  • Go to the store.
  • Buy milk.
  • Pick up bread. (All items are imperative verbs)

Parallel Structure in Comparisons and Contrasts:

When comparing or contrasting ideas, parallel structure helps highlight the similarities and differences effectively. This makes the comparison clearer and more impactful.

• Incorrect: Learning a new language is more difficult than learning to play a musical instrument.
• Correct: Learning a new language is more difficult than learning to play a musical instrument. (Both elements are gerunds)

The Power of Parallelism in Persuasive Writing:

The rhythmic quality of parallelism makes it a powerful tool in persuasive writing. By carefully constructing parallel sentences, you can create a sense of momentum and drive home your message more effectively. Think of the famous lines from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, which utilize parallelism masterfully to create a powerful and memorable impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Mixing verb tenses: Maintain consistency in verb tense throughout the parallel structure.

• Inconsistent punctuation: Use consistent punctuation (e.g., commas, semicolons) to separate parallel elements.

• Unequal parts of speech: Ensure that all elements are the same part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).

• Ignoring prepositional phrases: Prepositional phrases must be parallel. If you start with a prepositional phrase, continue with prepositional phrases.

Conclusion:

Mastering parallel structure is an investment in your writing skills that will yield significant returns. By understanding the principles of parallelism and practicing their application, you can elevate the clarity, readability, and persuasiveness of your writing. Consistent use of parallel structure demonstrates grammatical precision, enhances your credibility, and leaves a lasting positive impression on your readers. Remember to always review your work carefully, checking for any instances of inconsistent grammatical structures, and strive for the harmonious balance that only true parallelism can provide. By paying attention to these details, you will become a more confident and effective writer.