The Elements of Style -- Book Review

The Timeless Guide to Good Writing by Strunk and White

Mar 15, 2009

Now in its 5th edition, this is an indispensable guide book for writers at all experience levels.

Ask any writer to name one of the leading books on writing. Chances are high that he or she will say, "The Elements of Style," or, as it is sometimes called, "Strunk and White."

For good reason. The Elements of Style is a slim volume, running to just over 100 pages. But it lays out the rules of good writing in a clear, succinct and authoritative style that serves as example and inspiration to any serious student of writing.

The Elements of Style is divided into 5 chapters. The first two, "Elementary Rules of Usage" and "Elementary Principles of Composition," present 22 rules between them. The rules give advice on a wide range of subjects, including "Do not break sentences in two" (Rule 6), "Use the active voice" (Rule 14) and "Keep related words together" (Rule 20). The most famous of these rules is probably Rule 17, "Omit needless words."

"Vigorous writing is concise," say Strunk and White as they expound on this rule. The concept of vigorous writing is reinforced throughout the book.

A later chapter covers matters relating to writing form. It gives advice on some aspects of the mechanics of writing, such as presentation of numerals, how to use parentheses, and so on. There follows an extensive chapter that explains the meanings and usage of commonly misused words and expressions.

In the final chapter, "An Approach to Style," Strunk and White counsel the reader on how to write interesting and effective prose.

The Elements of Style started life as a 43-page handout in Professor William Strunk Jr.'s English 8 class at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1919. It was written by the professor himself.

One of the students in that class was E.B. White, who would later go on to be a staff writer of The New Yorker for six decades. In 1957, Macmillan and Company commissioned Mr. White to revise and update the book. It was published as a trade paperback in 1959, and sold about 2 million copies.

The book went through three more editions. The 4th edition was followed by an illustrated version, with artwork contributed by Maria Kalman.

In summary, The Elements of Style is a book that belongs on every writer's shelf. Novice and experienced writers alike can glean invaluable advice on improving their writing from this gem of a book.

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