Editing Parallelisms

Parallel Structure

As the OWL website clarifies, a parallelism is when you have a list or multiple ideas that are presented in the same pattern, same basic syntactical structure.

Here are a few things to consider about your sentences that have lists (or could use a list) or that present multiple ideas:

• verb forms should match (especially in a list)
• clauses should have matching word patterns
• correlative expressions also need to be edited (check the link)

Furthermore, Towson University up in Baltimore has a great breakdown for how to identify and work on parallel structure. 

How can knowing and working on parallel structure help me out?!?

• A strong parallel made within a thesis statement can outline your entire essay body.

• Besides using the structure for thesis statements, the technique is good to use for:

• outlining multiple reasons or examples within a body paragraph
• reiterating in a conclusion the points made in an essay (especially if you didn't use the same structure in the introduction/thesis)
• complex compound sentences

• Example  error 1:  Religion and  man's superiority complex with regard to nature thematically drive these two pieces.

• Both are verbs, but "religion" is one word long and broad, whereas the second idea is more thought out. 

• Fixing error 1:  Man's lack of religious faith and man's superiority complex with regard to nature drive these two pieces. 

• Example error 2: One's spirituality can be defined through religious beliefs, expressed through artistic views, and nurtured. 

• The first two parts of the list agree in clauses, while the third part only has the verb.

• Fixing error 2: One's spirituality can be defined through religious beliefs, expressed through artistic views, and nurtured through daily interactions.

• Notice how the verbs match in form, and the objects have the same pattern

• Error 3 (passive voice to active voice): The boy was bitten by the dog, so he called his mom.
• The dog bit him, so the boy called his mother

Editing and Testing for Parallelism

• First, look for sentences that have multiple ideas using FANBOYS or serial lists.
• All singular sentences with multiple actions
• All compound sentences

• Stack each part of the parallel like you are writing a poem; each separate idea gets its own line.
• Example: "Religion and  man's superiority complex with regard to nature" -->

• Religion
• Man's superiority complex with regard to nature

• With this example, the length differences tell us all we need to know about how un-parallel these two ideas are. However, we can also logically understand more in the longer clause, which is the other "test."

• Also, read the original sentence over with only one part of the list at a time:

• Religion thematically drives these two pieces.
• Man's superiority complex with regard to nature thematically drives these two pieces. 

• Ask the question: Which one seems to lack clarity or coherence?
• Then, work on making sure each part of the parallel can work with the rest of the sentence.

Grammar Aside, How Does Effective Parallelism Impact My Writing?

• You can organize your main idea(s) in a sentence list that gives you directions for each paragraph to follow. Organization!!!

• You can order ideas in a list that emphasizes a certain priority to the list. Which idea is most important or strongest?

• Order impacts understanding. The more you create a consistent order, the more coherent your work is (the easier it is to understand your ideas).