Parallel Structure

Summary
Duncan and Roderick talk about parallel structure.

Transcript
(Duncan is looking at something on his computer, and for some reason he is crying hysterically. Jeremy comes up to him)

Jeremy: Whoa, what's wrong, buddy? I haven't seen you this upset since the end of Toy Story 3.

Duncan: Look.

(Duncan points to an article he's been reading on a website. The title reads "GoReal TV Cancels TRHoV". Jeremy reads the article)

Jeremy: The GoReal TV Network is cancelling "The Real Husbands of Vancouver", its most popular reality series. The show, which assembles the worst people from every other reality show, has become an embarrassment to the network, and to Canada in general.

Duncan: I can't believe it. I can't believe that they're cancelling my favorite reality TV show.

Jeremy: Maybe you could write a letter asking them to put the show back on the air.

Duncan: Awesome idea, Jeremy! I'm gonna do that right now.

(Duncan gets to work on his letter. Thirty seconds later, he prints it out)

Jeremy: Wow, that was fast. Let me take a look.

(Jeremy looks at Duncan's letter)

Jeremy: Hmm, this isn't bad, but it could benefit from the proper use of parallel structure.

Caption: Parallel Structure

Narrator: Today, Jeremy and Duncan are going to explain how you should use parallelism in writing.

Jeremy: Parallel structure is when you repeat a particular pattern of words within a single sentence. It's an example of rhetorical device - a technique authors use to make their writing clearer, stronger, and more persuasive. Let's take a look at the beginning of Duncan's letter. Duncan wrote, "GoReal TV broke our hearts when it announced that it will be cancelling The Real Husbands of Vancouver. I know its viewers are angry, and you have ruined the whole summer." Let's try rephrasing that in parallel structure: "GoReal TV broke our hearts, ruined our summer, and angered its loyal viewers." See how that sentence is tighter and clearer than the original?

Duncan: Well, I've tried to use parallel structure in places, but I think I've done it wrong.