Editor's Corner

Today’s quiz is on parallelism. Here is a very brief definition, from a textbook used at the University of Washington some time ago (faculty.washington.edu/davidgs/ParallelConstruc.pdf):

Parallel construction, also called parallelism, shows that two or more ideas are equally important by stating them in grammatically parallel form: noun lined up with noun, verb with verb, phrase with phrase. Parallelism can lend clarity, elegance, and symmetry to what you say:

I came;

I saw;

I conquered.

–Julius Caesar

Select the sentence from each pair that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction. Use the voting buttons (in MS Outlook) to respond with your answer before noon today. I will send the correct answers and a tally of all responses sometime after that.

1. (A) In French class, Pete learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
(B) In French class, Pete learned to read poems critically and he appreciated good prose.

2. (A) She wanted three things from the university: to join a sorority, to make good friends, and to learn how to party like a rock star.
(B) She wanted three things from the university: to join a sorority, to make good friends, and learn how to party like a rock star.

3. (A) Mr. Hadubi rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
(B) Mr. Hadubi rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.

Kara Church | Senior Technical Editor

Symitar, A Jack Henry Company

8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123