Parallel Structure in MLA Format: Guidelines for Academic Research Papers

📚 What is Parallel Structure?

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. By making each compared item or idea in your sentence follow the same grammatical pattern, you create a balanced and clear structure. This enhances readability and emphasizes the relationships between the elements.

📜 A Brief History of Parallelism

Parallelism isn't a new concept; it's been used in rhetoric and writing for centuries. Think about famous speeches and literary works – parallelism is often employed to create memorable and persuasive prose. In academic writing, its importance grew alongside the emphasis on clarity and precision in expressing complex ideas.

🔑 Key Principles of Parallel Structure

• ⚖️ Balance: Ensure that the elements you're connecting (words, phrases, or clauses) have the same grammatical structure.
• 🔗 Connection: Use coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) to link parallel elements.
• 🎯 Clarity: Aim for sentences that are easy to understand and free from awkward phrasing.

✍️ Real-World Examples in MLA Format

Let's look at some examples to illustrate how parallel structure works in academic writing, especially adhering to MLA guidelines:

Example 1: Words

• ✅ Correct: "The essay explores themes of love, loss, and redemption." (All nouns)
• ❌ Incorrect: "The essay explores themes of love, loss, and to redeem." (Mixed noun and infinitive)

Example 2: Phrases

• ✅ Correct: "The student was skilled in writing essays, conducting research, and presenting findings." (All gerund phrases)
• ❌ Incorrect: "The student was skilled in writing essays, conducting research, and gave presentations." (Mixed gerund phrase and verb phrase)

Example 3: Clauses

• ✅ Correct: "The professor explained that the theory was complex, that the data was limited, and that more research was needed." (All noun clauses)
• ❌ Incorrect: "The professor explained that the theory was complex, the data was limited, and more research is needed." (Mixed noun clause and independent clause)

💡 Tips for Maintaining Parallel Structure

• 🧐 Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing and non-parallel structures.
• 📝 Outline: Before writing, create an outline to organize your ideas and ensure a logical flow.
• 🔍 Review: After writing, carefully review your sentences to check for parallelism errors.

🧪 Practice Quiz

Identify and correct the errors in parallel structure in the following sentences:

1. The report analyzed the data, interpreted the results, and a conclusion was reached.
2. She enjoys reading books, to watch movies, and playing the piano.
3. The company values innovation, integrity, and being customer-focused.

Answers:

1. The report analyzed the data, interpreted the results, and reached a conclusion.
2. She enjoys reading books, watching movies, and playing the piano.
3. The company values innovation, integrity, and customer focus.

✅ Conclusion

Mastering parallel structure is essential for producing clear, coherent, and professional academic papers in MLA format. By ensuring that your sentences are grammatically balanced, you enhance the impact of your arguments and demonstrate attention to detail. Keep practicing, and you'll become a pro at crafting elegant and effective prose!