Parallel Structure and the Rule of Three

Parallel Structure

100

Sally enjoys playing the piano, going to school, and soccer.

Sally enjoys playing the piano, going to school, and playing soccer. Sally enjoys he piano, school, and soccer.

200

Students zipped up their backpacks, and closed their notebooks, and binders at the end of class.

Students zipped up their backpacks, closed their notebooks, and shut their binders at the end of class. Students zipped up their backpacks and closed their notebooks and binders at the end of class. Students closed their backpacks, notebooks, and binders at the end of class.

300

The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.

The dictionary can be used to find these: word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

400

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

500

The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers.

The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

Rule of Three

100

Jessica's favorite subjects in school are science, math, history, lunch, art, English, French, Latin, Chinese, Spanish, music, computer science, and drama.

Jessica's favorite subjects in school are ___, ___, and ___. Jessica's favorite subjects in school are ___, ___, and ___. She also likes ___, ___, and ___. Jessica's favorite subjects in school are ___, ___, and ___, as well as ___, ___, and ___.

200

A saying I created is, "live, learn, evolve, and become happy."

A saying I created is, "___, ___, and ___."

300

We're going to throw a surprise party for Jane! Make sure that you buy candles, balloons, a cake, presents, and decorations!

We're going to throw a surprise party for Jane! Make sure that you buy ___, ___, and ___! We're going to throw a surprise party for Jane! Make sure that you buy ___, ___, and ___, as well as ___, ___, and ___! We're going to throw a surprise party for Jane! Make sure that you buy ___, ___, and ___! Also, get ___, ___, and ___!

400

A very famous line in Shakespeare goes, "friends, Romans, countrymen, people, women, and children."

A very famous line in Shakespeare goes, "friends, Romans, countrymen."

500

"Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness," as the Constitution says, freedom, and compassion are very important.

___, ___, and ___ are very important. ___, ___, and ___ are very important, as the Constitution says.

Mystery

100

The ants go marching in groups of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight.

The ants go marching in groups of one through eight. The ants go marching in groups of ___, ___, and ___. The ants go marching in groups of ___, ___, and so on.

200

Jacob is witty, charming, and has a very pleasing personality.

Jacob is witty, charming, and has a very pleasing. Jacob has wit, charm, and a very pleasing personality.

300

Mary wanted to make sure that she made her presentation creative, effectively, and persuasively.

Mary wanted to make sure that she made her presentation creatively, effectively, and persuasively. Mary wanted to make sure that she made her presentation creative, effective, and persuasive.

400

The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low.

The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation.

500

Not only did the teacher give the class a surly look, but he also assigned ten more pages of homework as punishment for their impatience.

The teacher not only gave the class a surly look, but he also assigned ten more pages of homework as punishment for their impatience. The teacher gave the class not only a surly look, but also ten more pages of homework as punishment for their impatience.