This document discusses parallel structure and provides examples of its use. It defines parallel structure as matching grammatical structure in different parts of a sentence. It gives two examples from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King Jr where they use parallel structure for emphasis and rhythm. It also provides examples for students to practice identifying parallel and non-parallel structures, and rewriting sentences to make the structures parallel.

1. Parallel Structure
Define Parallel. Define Structure.

3. Teacher Models
Example 1:
"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."
—William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar
Note: The author uses parallel structure in both lines. In the first line, parallel structure
equates three different groups of society: friends, Romans, and "countrymen." In the
second line, the author uses parallel structure with the phrases "to bury Caesar, not
to praise him."

4. Teacher Models
Example 1:
"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."
—William Shakespeare,
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Note: The author uses parallel structure in both lines. In the first line, parallel structure equates three different
groups of society: friends, Romans, and "countrymen." In the second line, the author uses parallel structure
with the phrases "to bury Caesar, not to praise him."

5. Remember the FAN BOYS?

6. Teacher Model
Example 2:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:
'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons
of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood...
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be
judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
—Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech
Note: Here, King repeats the words "I have a dream," in order to emphasize his message and give listeners the sense that
his dream can be expressed in many ways, all of which are equally important. King's repetition also creates a kind of
rhythm that works well in public speaking.
(Source for above examples.)

7. Teacher Model
Example 2:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:
'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the
sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood...
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be
judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
—Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech
Note: Here, King repeats the words "I have a dream," in order to emphasize his message and give listeners the sense that
his dream can be expressed in many ways, all of which are equally important. King's repetition also creates a kind of
rhythm that works well in public speaking.

8. Group Work
Example 1 - Not Parallel:
The teacher said that he was a poor
student because he waited until the
last minute to study for the exam,
completed his lab problems in a
careless manner, and his motivation
was low.

9. Group Work
Example 1 -Parallel!
The teacher said that he was a poor
student because he waited until the last
minute to study for the exam, completed
his lab problems in a careless manner,
and lacked motivation.

10. Group Work
Example 2 - Not Parallel:
The production manager was asked to
write his report quickly, accurately,
and in a detailed manner.

11. Group Work
Example 2 - Parallel!
The production manager was asked to
write his report quickly, accurately,
and thoroughly.

12. Exit Slip: Individual Formative Assessment
Example 3: Correct this one.
■ Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
(Source for three previous examples.)
Example 4:
Create one sentence using a parallel structure.