Mastering Parallelism in Writing
Understanding parallelism is essential for clear and effective writing. This guide highlights how to express two or more ideas in matching forms, making your sentences more cohesive. For example, instead of mixing structures, such as "The new restaurant has fresh food, reasonable prices, and service that is fast," you should strive for consistency: "The new restaurant has fresh food, reasonable prices, and fast service." Follow these examples and guidelines to enhance your writing clarity and engage your readers more effectively.
Mastering Parallelism in Writing
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Presentation Transcript
Two or more equal ideas should be expressed in parallel (matching) form • Not parallel: The new restaurant has fresh food, reasonable prices, and service that is fast. • Fresh food and reasonable prices are parallel (descriptive word followed by word being described) • Service that is fast (thing being described followed by the descriptive word) • Parallel: The new restaurant has fresh food, reasonable prices, and fast service.
Not parallel: The children were arguing in the lobby, talked during the movie, and complained on the ride home.Parallel: The children argued in the lobby, talked during the movie, and complained on the ride home. • Not parallel: Our neighbors spend a lot of time shopping, visiting friends, and they go to the movies.Parallel: Our neighbors spend a lot of time shopping, visiting friends, and going to the movies. • Not parallel: My aunt is selfish, impatient, and she is not a kind person.Parallel: My aunt is selfish, impatient, and unkind.
Rewrite the italicized part to make it match the other items listed
