Parallelism is a tool that writers use to create balance in their writing. This balance helps readers understand what they are reading because they know what to expect and can clearly see the connections between ideas.

Parallelism can be used effectively in parts of sentences, items in a résumé, bulleted lists and headings in a report. In this article, we will look at how to use this tool in headings.

What is parallelism?

A sentence is parallel when the items listed in a series share the same grammatical structure:

Melissa hoped to graduate from college, find a job and buy a car.
[These are all infinitive phrases sharing to.]

For more information on basic parallelism, read Parallelism with items in a series.

How do I make headings parallel?

Headings are used to give a title or subtitle to a section of a document. They provide structure for a document and help readers find information more easily.

Related headings should have a similar structure. A writer who forgets this rule might create a confusing set of headings like this:

• Analyzing the information
• Plan the document
• How do I write the document?
• Editing
• Evaluation of the process

You can make headings like these parallel by making sure you use the same structure each time. For example, you might start all the headings with a verb or an -ing word, or make each heading a question:

Using verbs

• Analyze
• Plan
• Write
• Edit
• Evaluate

Using -ing words

• Analyzing the information
• Planning the document
• Writing the document
• Editing my writing
• Evaluating the process

Using a question format

• How do I analyze the information?
• How do I plan the document?
• How do I write the document?
• How do I edit my writing?
• How do I evaluate the process?

Do all my headings have to be parallel?

A document may contain many headings and subheadings that are often described in terms of levels. For example, the major headings in a document are called level one headings, while the subheadings under a major heading are called level two headings, and so on.

For your headings to be parallel, you must use the same structure within a given level. For example, if you choose to start level one headings with a noun, then all level one headings must start with a noun. However, the structure can vary between levels. In other words, level two headings do not need to have the same structure as level one headings.

Parallelism has been used effectively in the set of headings and subheadings below. The level one headings are all verbs, while the level two headings are all questions:

Analyze

• What is the purpose of the document?
• Who is the target audience?
• What information is available?

Plan

• What type of document should I write?
• How do I write an outline?

Write

• How do I make the document easy to read?
• How do I make the document easy to understand?
• How do I make the document easy to use?

As this list shows, as long as you make headings within each level parallel in structure, your readers will be able to find information more easily.