I need help with parallel structure. My essay is contrasting cats and dogs, with cats being the superior (sorry dog lovers). One paragraph is to be block method the other is to be point by point.

Question

II. Body
A. Needs
1. Feeding
a. Cats
b. Dogs
2. Training
a. Cats
b. Dogs
3. Grooming
a. Cats
b. Dogs
4. Medicating
a. Cats
b. Dogs
B. Personalities
1. Cats
a. Playing
b. Vocalizing
c. Independence
d.
2. Dogs
a. Playing
b. Vocalizing
c. Independence
d.

I know some of these words aren't parallel. Also, do the topics and sub topics have to be parallel. I don't know if using gerunds and cat and dog would be correct.

Also what is another sub topic i could use for personalities or can anyone think of better ones?

Answer 1

Hold on while I look at all this...

Answer 2

The only parts that aren't parallel are the two instances where you have written "Independence" -- that word (r a word that gives the same meaning) needs to become a gerund.

Paragraph A is point-by-point, right? And paragraph B is block?

Now ... find another word for "independence" but in -ing form.

I'll be looking through the following; you should do the same:
http://www.answers.com
http://www.onelook.com
http://www.thesaurus.com

Answer 3

If you cannot come up with a gerund form of "independence," then you'll need to turn "playing" and "vocalizing" into noun forms to be parallel with "independence."

Answer 4

So everything else doesn't have to be parallel like needs and personalities and cats and dogs aren't gerunds but that's ok since they are a different part of the outline?

Answer 5

Needs and Personalities are parallel -- they are both nouns. (Level A and B)

Next level (1, 2, etc.) in A are all parallel -- all gerunds.

The only terms not parallel with others in their own level are the two instances of "independence."