Parallel Structures
What is parallel structure in writing?
What is...the use of consistent grammatical forms in a series or list to create balance and clarity in writing
Define active voice and provide an example.
Active voice occurs when the subject performs the action.
Example: "The cat chased the mouse."
What is the main idea of a text?
The main idea is the primary point or message that the author wants to convey in a text.
What is theme and what is an example?
The main lesson to be learned or the moral of the story.
Friendship is portrayed through the loyalty and support characters provide to each other.
What is a topic sentence?
A topic sentence is a sentence that summarizes the main idea of a paragraph.
Identify the error in parallel structure in this sentence: "She likes to swim, biking, and to run."
The error is in "biking."
It should be "biking" and "running" to match "to swim."
Convert this sentence to passive voice: "The dog chased the cat."
"The cat was chased by the dog."
Identify the main idea of the following sentence: "The rainforest is home to a diverse range of species, making it vital for ecological balance."
The main idea is that the rainforest is vital for ecological balance due to its diverse range of species.
Identify the theme of a well-known story, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare."
The theme of "The Tortoise and the Hare" is that slow and steady wins the race.
Why is a topic sentence important in a paragraph?
A topic sentence is important because it provides focus and direction for the paragraph, helping readers understand what to expect.
Rewrite this sentence to use parallel structure: "The teacher wants to encourage students to think critically, writing clearly, and to express their ideas."
"The teacher wants to encourage students to think critically, write clearly, and express their ideas."
Identify whether this sentence is in active or passive voice: "The homework was completed by the students."
The sentence is in passive voice.
How can you determine the main idea of a paragraph?
List two strategies.
Strategies to determine the main idea include: looking for repeated ideas and identifying the most important sentence in the paragraph.
Explain how the theme of friendship is portrayed in a book.
Friendship is portrayed through the loyalty and support characters provide to each other.
Write a topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise
"Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for physical and mental health."
Create a sentence that demonstrates proper use of parallel structure with the items: "reading," "writing," and "drawing."
"She enjoys reading, writing, and drawing."
Provide a sentence in passive voice and then change it to active voice.
Passive voice: "The book was read by Sarah."
Active voice: "Sarah read the book."
Provide an example of a paragraph and ask students to summarize the main idea in one sentence.
The main idea of the paragraph is that exercise has numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Provide an example of a story and ask students to identify its theme.
The theme of "Cinderella" is that kindness and resilience can lead to happiness.
Identify the topic sentence in this paragraph: "Dogs are loyal companions. They provide comfort and joy to their owners."
The topic sentence is: "Dogs are loyal companions."
Explain why parallel structure is important in writing.
Provide an example. (Correct)
Parallel structure is important because it enhances clarity and improves the flow of writing.
Example: "I like to jog, to swim, and to bike."
Discuss the advantages of using active voice in writing.
Using active voice makes writing more direct and engaging, helping to clarify who is doing the action.
Discuss why understanding the main idea is essential for effective reading comprehension.
Understanding the main idea is essential for effective reading comprehension because it helps the reader grasp the overall message and retain information.
Analyze how themes can vary between different cultures or authors, providing examples.
Themes can vary; for example, love may be a prominent theme in Western literature, while community and family may be emphasized more in African literature.
Where can topic sentences be found?
The beginning, middle, and end