English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Use parallel structure
Use parallel structure
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define parallel structure and identify its function in writing.
Identify parallel and non-parallel structures within sentences.
Correct faulty parallelism in lists of words, phrases, and clauses.
Apply parallel structure to improve the clarity and style of their own sentences and thesis statements.
Analyze the rhetorical effect of parallelism in literature and speeches.
Correctly use parallel structure with correlative conjunctions (e.g., 'not only/but also').
Ever wonder why a phrase like 'I came, I saw, I conquered' is so powerful and memorable? The secret is a writing technique that creates rhythm and balance. 🏛️
This tutorial will teach you how to use parallel structure, which is like creating a balanced pattern in your sentences....
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Parallel Structure (or Parallelism)The repetition of the same grammatical form (e.g., nouns, verbs, phrases) in a sentence to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (All items are gerunds, which are '-ing' verbs acting as nouns).
Grammatical FormThe category of a word, phrase, or clause based on its function in a sentence.Examples of grammatical forms include nouns (dog), verbs (runs), infinitive phrases (to run), and prepositional phrases (in the park).
Faulty ParallelismA construction in which two or more parts of a sentence that are equivalent in meaning do not have the same grammatical form. This disrupts the rhythm and clarity of the sentence.She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike. ('...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Rule of Matching Forms
verb + verb + verb OR noun + noun + noun OR phrase + phrase + phrase
When you list two or more items, make sure they are all in the same grammatical form. If you start with an '-ing' verb, continue with '-ing' verbs. If you start with an infinitive ('to' + verb), use infinitives for all items in the series.
The Rule of Correlative Conjunctions
not only [structure A] but also [structure A]
The grammatical structure that follows the first part of the conjunction pair must be the same as the grammatical structure that follows the second part. For example, if a verb phrase follows 'not only', a verb phrase must also follow 'but also'.
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Challenging
Consider the following ideas: 1. The character feels isolated. 2. He questions his purpose. 3. He struggles against society. Which sentence best synthesizes these ideas into a single, powerful sentence using parallel structure?
A.Feeling isolated, the character questions his purpose and a struggle against society.
B.The character feels isolated, questions his purpose, and struggles against society.
C.The character's isolation leads to questioning his purpose and to struggle against society.
D.The character feels isolated, and he questions his purpose while also he struggles against society.
Challenging
Given the topic 'the decline of a tragic hero' and the points 'hubris,' 'a fatal error,' and 'a downfall,' which is the most effective thesis statement?
A.tragic hero's decline is marked by hubris, making a fatal error, and then they have a downfall.
B.tragic hero's decline is defined by his initial hubris, his subsequent fatal error, and his ultimate downfall.
C.tragic hero declines because of hubris, a fatal error is made, and a downfall occurs.
D.Hubris, making a fatal error, and experiencing a downfall are the stages of a tragic hero's decline.
Challenging
In Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' the opening line is: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...' How does this extensive use of parallelism contribute to the novel's theme?
A.It proves that the author could not think of any other way to start the story.
B.It establishes a theme of duality and contradiction by placing opposing ideas in identical grammatical structures, suggesting a society of extreme contrasts.
C.It creates a confusing and disorganized tone, reflecting the chaos of the historical period.
D.It focuses the reader's attention on only the 'best of times,' ignoring the negative aspects.
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