This document provides an overview of parallel structure and its rules. It explains that parallel structure creates equal balance between elements in a sentence. It outlines five rules for using parallel structure, such as using it with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions. Examples are provided to illustrate correct and incorrect uses of parallel structure. The objectives are to understand parallel structure, know its rules, and identify proper and improper uses of it in sentences.

1. It’s easy peasy! Once you know it, you will never go back.
ParallelStructure
Make it level!
It will make or break a sentence.

2. The Objectives:
 Understand parallel structure
Know the PS* rules
Indentify right and wrong PS
* PS = Parallel Structure

3. Parallel Structure
• What is it?
• Why do I need to know it?
• How do I use it?
• What good is this going to do?

4. WHAT IS IT?
An equal balance between words,
phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
WHAT?!
Make it level.
HUH?!
Everything in the sentence has to
be equal to each other.
Uhh…
Trust me, you’ll understand
before we get to the end!

5. Why do I need to know it?
BECAUSE I SAID SO!
It is something important to know when building a sentence.
It will enable you to build phenomenal sentences.
It will make or break a sentence.
It will make your smarter.
It will be on a test.

6. How do I use it?
EASY PEASY!!
Parallel structure is used every day.
It it used when you create a sentence.
Start talking. You will probably use it once.

7. What good is this going to be?
ONCE YOU KNOW IT, YOU WILL NEVER GO
BACK.
Warning:YOU MAY BECOME ANNOYED WHEN YOU FIND THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING BALANCED.

8. ARE YOU READY?

9. 5 RULES:
① Use PS with elements joined by coordinating
conjunctions.
② Use PS with elements in lists or in a series.
③ Use PS with elements being compare.
④ Use PS with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb
of being.
⑤ Use PS with elements joined by a correlative
conjunction.

10. RULE
USE PS WITH ONE
ELEMENTS JOINED BY COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS.
Wrong:
I enjoy swimming and to go camping.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT BALANCED!
AND TO GO CAMPING
Right:
I enjoy swimming and camping.
I enjoy to go swimming and to go camping.
Side Note: The second sentence is not
normally used because of it’s wordiness.

11. RULE TWO Use PS with elements in lists or in a series.
Wrong:
The field trips were to go camping, see the DIA, and flying
to Washington D.C.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT BALANCED!
TO GO CAMPING
FLYING TO WASHINGTON D.C
Right:
The field trips were to camp, see the DIA, and fly to
Washington D.C.
The field trips were camping, seeing the DIA, and
flying to Washington D.C.

12. RULE THREE
Use PS with elements being compare.
wrong:
I like to read more than writing.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT BALANCED!
MORE THAN WRITING
Right:
I like to read more than to write.
I like reading more than writing.
Side Note: The first sentence normally
isn’tused because it doesn’t flow well.

13. RULE
FOUR
Use PS with elements joined by a linking verb or a verb of being.
wrong:
To succeed is opening a new opportunity.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT BALANCED!
OPENING A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Right:
To succeed is to open a new opportunity.

14. RULE
FIVE Use PS with elements joined by a correlative conjunction.
wrong:
I want both to invest in new clothes and to buy puppies.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT’S NOT BALANCED!
TO BUY PUPPIES
Right:
I want to buy both new clothes and puppies.
I want to invest in both new clothes and puppies.

15. RECAP AND EXTRA!
PS is to have balance in a sentence.
Words need the same ending to be parallel
(ing’s with ing’s).
If it’s not balance, it isn’t a good sentence.
Lists/Series need to be parallel
Comparisons need to be parallel
After this PowerPoint you will be able to
pick out non-parallel sentences.

16. A LITTLE BIT OF PRACTICE!
There will be three slides with sentences on them.
YOU will have to decide weather it is parallel or not.
YOU will have to fix the sentence and make it parallel.

17. Sentence One
I like to swim, read, and eat.

18. Sentence Two
Tonight there is neither writing nor reading.

19. Sentence Three
I like to listen to music more than playing my Tuba.

20. ANSWERS!
Sentence One- Nothing
Sentence Two- Nothing
Sentence Three- Is wrong.
Change to;
I like to listen to music more than play my Tuba.
I like listening to music more than playing my
Tuba.

21. QUESTIONS?!

22. SOURCES-
Purdue Owl-
Used- Definitions and examples
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/623/1/
Usage- Parallel Structure-
Used- the rules, example sentences
http://www.towson.edu/ows/parallelism.htm
Self Teaching Unit: Parallel Structure-
Used- examples
HTTP://WWW.TOWSON.EDU/OWS/MODULEPARALLEL.HTM