Writing for ESL and New Learners: Parallelism
Parallelism This feature of good writing is more than stylistic touch; it is considered by many to be a requirement.
It is the use of the same or similar grammatical structures.
Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas in the other parts or sentences are equal in importance.
Parallelism also adds balance and rhythm and, most importantly, clarity to the sentence.
The reason for the importance of parallelism in your writing is that it helps your readers follow your ideas.
It also is pleasing to the mind and the ear to read and hear a well-built sentence which shows that the writer has worked at having his or her ideas lined up and related correctly to each other.
An example of parallism is the ancient and widespread European proverb about the Gardener's Dog who "doesn't eat nor lets others eat.
" Good writing matches up words and phrases according to their grammar and logic.
For example, it is poor writing to say, "I like eating cake and to drink coffee.
" This is wrong because it mixes a participle (the word with "ing") and an infinitive (beginning with "to").
It would be better to write: either of the following sentences: I like eating cake and drinking coffee.
I like to eat cake and to drink coffee.
Any part of a sentence can be paralleled, such as the subject of a sentence.
Dangerous animals and poisonous plants are part of the charm of my backyard.
Or parallel verbs and adverbs: He has always started his diets with enthusiasm but has seldom finished one with results.
Or parallel verbs and direct objects: He wanted to drink rum and to eat coconuts.
Or just the objects: The industrious housewife washed the windows, the rug, and the tub, all in three hours.
Or parallel prepositional phrases: He didn't know if he should vote for his brother or for the better candidate.
Your writing will be clearer if you make long subordinate clauses parallel.
This helps the reader keep track of our argument.
After you saute the onions, which you just bought, but before you add the garlic that your brother-in-law brought with him, chop up the meat.
You may want to make phrases parallel: The pilot showed off his skill, climbing vertically and diving rapidly.
To eat right and to exercise regularly are the pillars of health.
She liked walking in the rain and kicking the puddles.
In summary, you can write many combination of parts of speech or sentence, depending on your intended content..
Here is an example of parallelism from the ancient philosopher Aristotle: For the end of a theoretical science is truth, but the end of a practical science is performance.
You can learn more writing tips by getting our book: "ESL and Adult Learners CAN WRITE RIGHT! at: https://www.
createspace.
com/3436317
It is the use of the same or similar grammatical structures.
Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas in the other parts or sentences are equal in importance.
Parallelism also adds balance and rhythm and, most importantly, clarity to the sentence.
The reason for the importance of parallelism in your writing is that it helps your readers follow your ideas.
It also is pleasing to the mind and the ear to read and hear a well-built sentence which shows that the writer has worked at having his or her ideas lined up and related correctly to each other.
An example of parallism is the ancient and widespread European proverb about the Gardener's Dog who "doesn't eat nor lets others eat.
" Good writing matches up words and phrases according to their grammar and logic.
For example, it is poor writing to say, "I like eating cake and to drink coffee.
" This is wrong because it mixes a participle (the word with "ing") and an infinitive (beginning with "to").
It would be better to write: either of the following sentences: I like eating cake and drinking coffee.
I like to eat cake and to drink coffee.
Any part of a sentence can be paralleled, such as the subject of a sentence.
Dangerous animals and poisonous plants are part of the charm of my backyard.
Or parallel verbs and adverbs: He has always started his diets with enthusiasm but has seldom finished one with results.
Or parallel verbs and direct objects: He wanted to drink rum and to eat coconuts.
Or just the objects: The industrious housewife washed the windows, the rug, and the tub, all in three hours.
Or parallel prepositional phrases: He didn't know if he should vote for his brother or for the better candidate.
Your writing will be clearer if you make long subordinate clauses parallel.
This helps the reader keep track of our argument.
After you saute the onions, which you just bought, but before you add the garlic that your brother-in-law brought with him, chop up the meat.
You may want to make phrases parallel: The pilot showed off his skill, climbing vertically and diving rapidly.
To eat right and to exercise regularly are the pillars of health.
She liked walking in the rain and kicking the puddles.
In summary, you can write many combination of parts of speech or sentence, depending on your intended content..
Here is an example of parallelism from the ancient philosopher Aristotle: For the end of a theoretical science is truth, but the end of a practical science is performance.
You can learn more writing tips by getting our book: "ESL and Adult Learners CAN WRITE RIGHT! at: https://www.
createspace.
com/3436317
