Writing top tip – use parallel structure

Parallel structure makes complex sentences easier to understand. The structure means you use similar grammatical constructions for different items in a list or a figure.

Example of original text:

• The amount of subjects withdrawing from the study was 1.4% in the study product group, compared to 5.2% in the placebo group.

Example of parallel structure:

• The amount of subjects withdrawing from the study was 1.4% in the study product group and 5.2% in the placebo group. Or,
• The amount of subjects withdrawing from the study was lower with the study product compared to placebo (1.4% vs 5.2%).

The original text causes the reader to stop to realign the information.

In the revision, the information is realigned – so the reader doesn´t have to do it.