Whenever I think of the word structure, I think of building and businesses. Never thought that this would apply in this specific way in writing.
Parallel structure in writing is not referring to how your paper is organised and structured, but rather the use of words within your paper.
When describing or listing things, they have to be similar (parallel). Imaging how bad it would be if you mix rocks into a salad, I would not eat it, similarly your reader will not want to put that into his/her mind or even read it.
Something else that can lead to this is having a noun or a very awkwardly placed in the sentence.
Example:I need to go to the house, drop off the children and the hiking trip needs to be planned.
See how he base of the sentence "I need to" does not fit in with the last section. To fix this it is best to always list things, this will help you get back on track and make things parallel again.
I need to go to the house
I need to drop off the children
I need to plan the hiking trip
Parallel: I need to go to the house, drop off the children and plan the hiking trip.
Remember that you can fix this anyway you want (any form) as long as the form stays the same throughout the writing. Do not confuse the reader by not being consistent in your form of writing.
Items in separate lists should also be parallel. This problem often occurs in résumés, and reflects poorly on the applicant.
Not parallel: Leadership Experience
• Volunteered as a reading tutor at Sunnyside Elementary
• Served as student body president
• I have worked as a mentor at a school for troubled youth
Parallel: Leadership Experience
• Volunteered as a reading tutor at Sunnyside Elementary
• Served as student body vice president
• Worked as a mentor at a school for troubled youth
Source: Link(Download)
There are some lovely exercises on this work at this Link I am not sure if you will be able to access it, but let me know if you can't and I will try upload the PDF in the comments for you.
Just on a little side note for self improvement. I will be doing pushups, situps and squats for the amount of $$$ (ratio;$2:1) I earn on this post and will give a short feedback every day at the end of each post. This will be split in equally between all 3. Any not done will carry onto the next day.
