Page 153 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade7_Flipbook

Activity 4.4
Unit 4
Lesson: Parallelism
Learning Targets
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
• Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Parallelism
You can use parallelism, the use of similar grammatical forms or sentence structures, to balance related ideas. Using parallelism helps readers and listeners understand that ideas are of similar importance. Parallelism can also make your writing and speech more interesting.
parallel words The wet, bedraggled, muddy boys needed baths and sleep. [parallel coordinate adjectives]
We are studying biology, social studies, and algebra. [parallel nouns]
parallel phrases Olivia is out of patience and in a hurry. [parallel prepositional phrases]
Sierra wants to study the problem, discuss our options, and propose a solution. [parallel infinitive phrases]
parallel clauses The horse reared, the crows called, and the bats flew. [parallel independent clauses]
After the morning team paints the outside walls and before the afternoon team paints the inside walls, someone needs to clean the brushes. [parallel dependent clauses]
Coordinate Elements
The parallel items in the examples above can also be called coordinate grammatical elements. In each sentence, the elements are of similar importance and share the same grammatical form. Commas should be used to separate them, and a coordinating conjunction may be used to join them:
wet, bedraggled, muddy boys OR wet, bedraggled, and muddy boys
Grammar Activities • Unit 4 1
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