Transcript Parallel Construction - Writing Center Home Page

Parallel Construction
Amy Kubista, MALS
Writing Specialist
What is Parallel
Construction?
Parallel construction is making similar
parts of your writing follow the same
pattern. These parts need to be presented
in parallel form.
Parallel Construction
It may help to think of parallel lines. Parallel lines are
lines that never cross because they are at the same
angle. The same is true for writing. Parallel
construction means words are in the same form.
Parallel Construction
Parallel construction errors are most obvious in lists. For
example, take a look at the following sentences:
• Sarah likes to swim, read, and to run.
• I like hiking, camping, and to bike.
• There was a shoe, shirt, and a sock on the bed.
All of these sentences have errors in parallel construction
because the items in the list are not in parallel form.
Parallel Construction
•
For these sentences to have parallel
construction, we need to fix some things.
Sarah likes to swim, to read, and to run.
Notice each item is now in the same format: to swim, to read, to run.
• I like hiking, camping, and biking.
Notice each item is now in the same format because each item ends in
–ing (a gerund).
• There was a shoe, a shirt, and a sock on the bed.
Notice each item is now preceded by an article.
Parallel Construction
Remember the basic concept of parallel
construction is to have similar parts of writing
in the same format.
This can get a little complicated as the
construction gets more complicated.
Parallel Construction
.
Good runners eat well balanced meals,
maintain steady training schedules, and focus
on their form.
Notice here there is parallel construction because there are
three things listed, and each thing begins with a verb (eat,
maintain, and focus).
Parallel Construction
Because Ryan studied thoroughly for his entrance exam, receives
good grades, and worked as an intern, he was a candidate for
the job.
Notice that each of these items begins with a verb, but they are
not all in the same tense. In order to have parallel construction
here, all of the verbs must be in the same tense. By changing
receives to received, we now have parallel construction.
Because Ryan studied for his entrance exam, received good
grades, and worked as an intern, he was a candidate for the
job.
Parallel Construction
Jamie noticed that the student’s paper was incorrectly
numbered and that the title page was not centered.
Notice here that the two things discussed in this sentence
have the same wording (both begin with the word that).
Parallel Construction
Is there parallel construction in the following
sentence?
Adams (2006) stated that the study incorporated the
demographics of the population, analyzed the eligibility of
the participants, examined the results of the survey, and
defines key terminology.
Parallel Construction
Adams (2006) stated that the study incorporated the
demographics of the population, analyzed the
eligibility of the participants, examined the results of
the survey, and defined key terminology.
Parallel Construction
Between and And
Incorrect: We debated the difference between the
weather in Minnesota in the winter and how hot
it is in the summer.
Correct: We debated the difference between the
weather in Minnesota in the winter and the
weather in Minnesota in the summer.
Parallel Construction
Both and And
Incorrect: The books were both enjoyable to
watch and discuss.
Correct: The books were enjoyable both to watch
and to discuss.
Parallel Construction
Neither and Nor; Either and Or
Incorrect: Neither the responses to the
questionnaire nor what we asked on the survey
were answered.
Correct: Neither the responses to
the questionnaire nor the responses to the
survey were answered.
Resources
• Parallel Construction:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/712.htm
• Writing Center Website:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/
• Library: http://library.waldenu.edu/
• Residencies:
http://thinkdesign.net/proofs/walden/res/
Questions?
What kinds of questions do you have
regarding parallel construction?