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    Parallel Structure - Explanation and Exercises: Exercise #1: Complete The Following Sentences Using Parallel Structure

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    The document discusses parallel structure and provides examples. Parallel structure involves using similar grammatical structures, such as using the same part of speech, in a series of phrases or clauses. This creates a rhythmic quality that enhances writing. The document includes exercises for identifying and creating parallel structure in sentences.

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    Parallel Structure - Explanation and Exercises: Exercise #1: Complete The Following Sentences Using Parallel Structure

    Uploaded by

    Gaurav
    95 views2 pages
    The document discusses parallel structure and provides examples. Parallel structure involves using similar grammatical structures, such as using the same part of speech, in a series of phrases or clauses. This creates a rhythmic quality that enhances writing. The document includes exercises for identifying and creating parallel structure in sentences.

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    english structure writing, parallel structure

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    Parallel Structure

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    The document discusses parallel structure and provides examples. Parallel structure involves using similar grammatical structures, such as using the same part of speech, in a series of phrases or clauses. This creates a rhythmic quality that enhances writing. The document includes exercises for identifying and creating parallel structure in sentences.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    95 views2 pages

    Parallel Structure - Explanation and Exercises: Exercise #1: Complete The Following Sentences Using Parallel Structure

    Uploaded by

    Gaurav
    The document discusses parallel structure and provides examples. Parallel structure involves using similar grammatical structures, such as using the same part of speech, in a series of phrases or clauses. This creates a rhythmic quality that enhances writing. The document includes exercises for identifying and creating parallel structure in sentences.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Parallel Structure - Explanation and Exercises

    Parallel structure is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a good impression on your
    readers, especially experienced readers and writers, because the use of parallel structures is
    always obvious. For example, it would work well in the thesis statement in the introduction of a
    five-paragraph essay. Consider a topic such as "Air pollution in Denver, Colorado, USA." If
    you want to write about the "causes of air pollution" (the thesis), your sentence at the end of the
    introduction could be "...the three main causes of air pollution in Denver are (1) exhaust from
    automobiles, (2) soot from industry smokestacks, and (3) smoke from wood burning fireplaces."
    (Exhaust, soot, and smoke are all nouns, which is parallel structure. However, in this case,
    parallel structure is even more effective because the nouns are all followed by prepositional
    phrases.)

    While the following examples require just one word and are relatively easy, look for parallel
    structure when you read because it is used frequently by experienced writers.
    1. The children are energetic and noisy. = adjective + adjective
    2. She bought a skirt and a blouse. = noun + noun
    3. He walked slowly and confidently to the witness stand. = adverb + adverb
    4. Swimming and hiking are my favorite summer activities. = gerund + gerund

    Here is a longer text with various examples of parallel structure:


    I believe that both teachers and students who embark on a program of portfolio
    development in their writing classes will learn a lot. (1) First, (2) by comparing (3) the first and
    last in-class essays, (4) both students and teachers will see measurable progress, (5) and they will
    learn that writing classes count. (1) Second, (2) by examining (3) the successive essays written
    throughout the semester, (4) both students and teachers will see heightened degrees of student
    ownership, (5) and they will learn that students have something to say. (1) Finally, (2) by
    evaluating (3) the final, in-class essays, (4) both students and teachers will see significant growth
    in students with regard to self-analysis, (5) and they will learn that students have developed the
    critical capacity to learn and to think. These are compelling reasons to use portfolio
    development in the ESL writing classroom.

    Exercise #1: Complete the following sentences using parallel structure.

    1. Having no job or _________________________, the student had to drop out of school.

    2. Because I used a computer to do my research paper, I could easily correct spelling errors,
    move paragraphs around to achieve better organization, and _________________________.

    3. While I was in college, I worked as a waitress, as a typist, and


    _________________________.

    4. He is a man known for his integrity and _________________________.

    5. Because he was ill and _________________________, the auto worker left his job.
    6. The professor walked through the door, looked at the students, and
    _________________________.

    7. A farmer spends his life tilling the soil, sowing the seeds, and _________________________.

    8. I was surprised to discover that, in person, the rock star was warm, friendly, unassuming, and
    _________________________.

    Exercise #2: Decide if the following sentences have an error in parallel construction.

    1. Monica brewed espresso, steamed milk, and told jokes as she prepared Mike’s latte.

    2. Natasha tried holding her breath, chewing a piece of gum, and poking her belly, but she could
    not quiet her empty stomach, which rumbled during the chemistry exam.

    3. In the restroom, Linda was brushing her hair, freshened her lip-gloss, and took deep breaths,
    trying to work up the courage to walk into her first speech class.

    4. Celine looked behind the dresser, in the laundry basket, and checked under the bed, but she
    could not find Squeeze, her nine-foot plastic python.

    5. Not only did Dennis apply an extra layer of deodorant, but he also polished each tooth with
    special care. He wanted to make a good first impression on Melinda.

    6. For his first date with Melinda, Dennis bought not only a dozen roses but he also purchased a
    box of chocolates.

    Exercise #3: Edit the following sentences to create the same parallel structure.

    1. Mike likes to listen to rock music and reading mystery novels.

    2. While in France, my nephew spent his time studying French, working in a restaurant, and
    he jogged along the Seine River every morning.

    3. My home office is filled with student reports, scrap paper and the garbage can is overflowing.

    4. Joan decided to paint her office, to add some new curtains, and that the rug needs dry
    cleaning.

    5. He wanted three things out of going to the university: to pick up a marketable skill, to make
    good friends, and understanding the stock market.

    6. My grandfather’s favorite pastime is to eat in trendy restaurants and visiting art galleries.

    7. Julia is in charge of stocking the shelves, writing orders, and to sell computers.

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