Basic Elliott Wave Analysis
18.6 Alternation
Alternation is a guideline with broad applications. It suggests that some pattern or
behavior should alternate with another different pattern or behavior. Alternation
expresses itself in the following ways:■ (^) If corrective wave 2 is a simple and sharp correction, then corrective wave 4
should be a complex flat correction (and vice versa).
■ (^) Within a three‐wave corrective pattern, alternation suggests that wave pattern
B should be different from wave pattern A or C.
■ (^) Within a three‐wave corrective pattern, alternation suggests that if wave A is
simple, then wave B should be complex.
See Figure 18.15.
It should be noted that alternation also applies to the corrective sequence of a
W‐X‐Y pattern. It is important to note that there is one exception to the general
application of alternation. Alternation does not occur between waves 2 and 4
within a triangle pattern.
18.7 Wave Equality
Wave equality is a guideline that suggests that when one of the impulse waves
is extended, which is usually wave 3, the remaining two impulse waves with a
motive wave should be of equal length and duration. Similarly, although less
common an occurrence, if wave 1 is extended, then waves 3 and 5 should be
of equal length and duration. Finally, wave equality would then suggest that if
waves 1 and 3 are of equal length and duration, then there is a possibility that
wave 5 would be extended. This would be useful as an early warning to a com-
modity trader where wave 5 would often be extended in commodity markets.
See Figure 18.16.figure 18.15 Alternation.