This document discusses parallelism in writing and provides examples of parallel and non-parallel constructions. Parallelism refers to using consistent grammatical structures to express ideas of equal importance. When listing items or ideas, each element should be in the same grammatical form, such as using the -ing form of verbs or infinitive phrases. Maintaining parallel structure balances the writing and clearly conveys the intended meaning. The document provides examples of parallel and non-parallel phrases, clauses, and lists to illustrate how to correctly apply parallel structure.

1. How to organize lists effectively

2. What is a parallelism?
It is important to be consistent in your wording in professional
writing, particularly in employment documents; this is called parallelism.
When you are expressing ideas of equal weight in your writing, parallel
sentence structures can echo that fact and offer you a writing style that
uses balance and rhythm to help deliver your meaning.

3. What is a parallelism?
Incorrect:
My degree, my work experience, and ability to complete
complicated projects qualify me for the job.
Correct:
My degree, my work experience, and my ability to
complete complicated projects qualify me for the job.

4. What is a parallelism?
Incorrect:
To keep horses at home, the owner must commit a significant amount
of time to daily care and knowing how to identify signs of illness or
injury in the horse.
Correct:
To keep horses at home, the owner must commit a significant amount
of time to daily care and must know how to identify signs of illness or
injury in the horse

5. Incorrect:
•Prepared weekly field payroll
•Material purchasing, expediting, and returning
•Recording OSHA regulated documentation
•Change orders
•Maintained hard copies of field documentation
Correct:
•Prepared weekly field payroll
•Handled material purchasing, expediting, and returning
•Recorded OSHA regulated documentation
•Processed change orders
•Maintained hard copies of field documentation

6. 1. Words and Phrases
•With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
•With infinitive phrases:
Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.

7. 2. Clauses
Not Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should
not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel:
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should
not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the
game.

8. 2. Clauses
Not Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting,
that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation,
and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers.
(passive)
Parallel:
The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting,
that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and
that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

9. Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
• Not Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings,
pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
•Parallel:
The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings,
pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

11. PARALLEL
PARALLEL
PARALLEL
PARALLEL

12. PARALLEL
PARALLEL
PARALLEL
PARALLEL