The document explains parallelism in sentences, defining it as a balance of similar phrases or clauses with the same grammatical structure. It provides examples and rules for maintaining parallel structure, emphasizing its importance for improving writing style and readability. Additionally, it includes a practice section focused on identifying sentence problems and a homework assignment on writing improvement.

1. LESSON 5
PARALLELISM AND SENTENCE PROBLEMS
NGUYEN THI TINH, M.A.

2. PARALLEL STRUCTURE IN SENTENCES
Definition
- Parallelism, also known as parallel structure
or parallel construction, is a balance within one or
more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have
the same grammatical structure.
- The application of parallelism improves writing
style and readability, and is thought to make sentences
easier to process.

3. PARALLEL STRUCTURE IN SENTENCES
Examples
- Nancy likes playing the piano, the trumpet and play the guitar. NO
- Nancy likes the piano, the trumpet and the guitar. YES
- Nancy likes playing the piano, the trumpet and the guitar. YES
- She played basketball, had a shower and gone to school. NO
- She played basketball, had a shower and went to school. YES
- You can apply to the job by filling this form or apply by telephone. NO
- You can apply to the job by filling this form or you can apply by telephone. YES

4. PARALLEL STRUCTURE IN SENTENCES
Rules of parallelism
1. With coordinators: and, or, but
Words, phrases, and clauses that are joined by and, but and or are written in
parallel form.
My mother likes cooking and to read. no
My mother likes cooking and reading. yes
2. With correlative conjunctions (paired conj)
both……and, either….or, neither…nor, not only…but also
Paired conjunctions are placed directly before the elements they join in the
sentence.
The teacher not only wants his students to keep quiet but also to do the
task . no
The teacher wants his students not only to keep quiet but also to do the
task . yes

5. PARALLEL STRUCTURE IN SENTENCES
Other rules
1. Parallelism is used to balance nouns with nouns, prepositional phrases with
prepositional phrases, participles with participles, infinitives with infinitives, clauses
with clauses.
2. Parallelism is used with elements in lists or in a series.
- This task can be done individually, in pairs, or can be done in groups of four. no
- This task can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups of four. Yes
3. Parallelism is used with elements being compared.
- She is mad about watching TV more than to read a book . no
- She is mad about watching TV more than reading a book. Yes
4. Parallelism is used with elements joined by a linking verb or a form of be
- To learn is understanding the world. no
- To learn is to understand the world. Yes
Watch the video
Practice

6. SENTENCE PROBLEMS
1. SENTENCE FRAGMENTS (P.194)
2. CHOPPY SENTENCES (P.196)
3. RUN-ON SENTENCES AND COMMA SPLICES
(P.199)
4. STRINGY SENTENCES (P.201)
Watch the video

7. PRACTICE AND HOMEWORK
CORRECTION FOR PRACTICE
HOMEWORK
Topic: How to improve your writing?
Requirements:
- A paragraph
- 10-12 sentences
- 150-170 words