The only style manual ever to appear on bestseller lists has explained to millions of readers the basic principles of plain English. The book's man...
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Feb 23, 2010
This book is good for the following things:
1. Propping up a short table leg
2. Lining a bird cage
3. Building a fire
4. Using as a coaster for cold drinks
I devoted some of my grammar thesis to criticizing this book, and it was time well spent.
Geoff Nunberg may have said it best: "The weird thing is to see rules like these passed down as traditional linguistic wisdom. Take that edict that you ought to s More...
1. Propping up a short table leg
2. Lining a bird cage
3. Building a fire
4. Using as a coaster for cold drinks
I devoted some of my grammar thesis to criticizing this book, and it was time well spent.
Geoff Nunberg may have said it best: "The weird thing is to see rules like these passed down as traditional linguistic wisdom. Take that edict that you ought to s More...
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Sep 25, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it: 
I have a confession --
I like grammar books.
Now, I don't usually like the ranting of old, white men who clearly don't have better things to do with their time. Usually, I want to hurl their books about. Usually, I'm all about the clever undermining of the status quo. But I like clear writing, and with few exceptions until very recently (such as the brilliant Karen Elizabeth Gordon), this means hanging out with some of the grumpiest, most conservative, and self-righteous More...
I like grammar books.
Now, I don't usually like the ranting of old, white men who clearly don't have better things to do with their time. Usually, I want to hurl their books about. Usually, I'm all about the clever undermining of the status quo. But I like clear writing, and with few exceptions until very recently (such as the brilliant Karen Elizabeth Gordon), this means hanging out with some of the grumpiest, most conservative, and self-righteous More...
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Jul 18, 2009
Patrick
rated it: 
I remember, my Freshman year, sitting in the Music Building lounge waiting for my next class when Maryanne came crashing in, with an appropriate amount of chaos, announcing to all “Oh crap, I can’t find my Strunk and White.” Everyone else in the room apparently knew what she was talking about, but I sat with a blank stare. A few weeks latter my required English 101 professor insisted we hit the bookstore and buy ‘The Elements of Style.’ We were to treat it like the Holy Grail of grammar, carry i
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6 comments
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Oct 14, 2007
Kenny
rated it:
The gold standard. No more need be said than to quote Mr. Strunk's thoughts under the headline "Omit Needless Words":
"Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the reader make all sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word More...
"Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the reader make all sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word More...
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Jan 03, 2009
Eric
rated it:
I never thought I would say this about a book, but every writer needs to read this book. Hell, if you plan on writing anything you should read this book. The title is very misleading. Anyone who came across it for the first time might think it was a book about "style" as an artform. For those who are worried about the pedantry of writing, this book is mostly about grammar and what can be more effective in using the English language. This needs to be in the curriculumn for high sch
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Jun 25, 2008
Karima
rated it:
What a beautiful, slim volume of wisdom and written elegance.
I highly recommend this edition with illustrations by Maira Kalman. It has been, according to Roger Angell who writes the forward, "modestly" updated from the original, published in the WW 1 era.
Get this book. Give this book. Refer to this book over and over again.
I highly recommend this edition with illustrations by Maira Kalman. It has been, according to Roger Angell who writes the forward, "modestly" updated from the original, published in the WW 1 era.
Get this book. Give this book. Refer to this book over and over again.
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Aug 31, 2009
Henry
rated it:
There is no point in reviewing one of the most popular style guides ever. But what I can do is write about my experience with it. First, I am not a native English speaker. And second, I am an amateur fiction writer. This won't be the first book I would recommend to someone that doesn't know what an independent clause is. There are plenty of grammar rules for "normal" people out there. But for writers it is very helpful. I read and read the rules, time and time again, until they sink in
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(3 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2009
Aaron
rated it:
This book was recommended to my by my former manager in Psychiatric Quality Control as a guide for effective writing. It's the best writing text I've come across yet. William Strunk and E.B. White (as in Charlotte's Web, one of Strunk's students) worked independently to produce this excellent work: Strunk wrote the original "draft" as classroom notes and after his death White arranged them for publication.
The book is composed of five chapters and a glossary. There are 22 r More...
The book is composed of five chapters and a glossary. There are 22 r More...
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Apr 27, 2008
David
rated it: 
This book is a bit of a mess, ironically, but is worth reading. My natural style is... somewhat baroque. I wanted to pick up some tips on writing more clearly, since my goal is more often communication than art. The first few sections of the book are great, and the examples are quite helpful (in addition to being amusing). Nonetheless, there are many problems with this book.
Section IV, on the use of words and phrases, is comically idiosyncratic. One of my pet peeves is the instance More...
Section IV, on the use of words and phrases, is comically idiosyncratic. One of my pet peeves is the instance More...
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Mar 15, 2008
Marco
rated it:
This book shows established rules of English grammar. He is opinionated in some rules, however. The "little book" will help to guide you in writing; Strunk knows exactly what a writer has to do to make writing effortless. Although style is subjective and there are no established rules for style, he reminds us that a certain combination of words can stir a reader deeply, while another combination of the same words is dull. All writers have their own style, but only some are "clearl
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Mar 15, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
What a classic. This book I read is a reprint from the original 1920 version.
It's a great book for writers. Let's face it, we all write emails, so we can all use it.
Here are examples of the great reminders I got from the book -
1) use active voice
not: confirmation of these reports cannot be obtained.
instead: these reports cannot be confirmed
2) omit needless words
not: he is a man who drinks often
instead: he drinks often
More...
It's a great book for writers. Let's face it, we all write emails, so we can all use it.
Here are examples of the great reminders I got from the book -
1) use active voice
not: confirmation of these reports cannot be obtained.
instead: these reports cannot be confirmed
2) omit needless words
not: he is a man who drinks often
instead: he drinks often
More...
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 13, 2007
Nathaniel
rated it:
Accept no substitute for the 3rd edition of this exceptional work. The 4th edition includes "improvements" (hah!) by some ghost writer who seems to think that the singular "they" is acceptable. Here, E. B. White expands on Strunk's earlier work, and produces a compact and effective writing and style guide, explaining some of the best and least known errors that creep into everyone's writing. Know the difference between nauseous and nauseated? Imply and infer? Tortuous an
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Sep 20, 2010
John
rated it:
The most concise reference books on writing, re-writing and the writing process. A point-by-point guide to the English Language usage, composition, form and style. There's even a reference to words and expressions commonly misused. I highly recommend it.
Jan 04, 2009
Michael
rated it:
This book condenses most of the must-know for starting writers. While writing more about it would be to break its rules (and that's seventeen words too many), this book is especially valuable for technical and scientific writers.
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Jan 29, 2011
Mansoor
rated it:
This is the oft-cited classic. If you haven't read it, read it. I know that seems an overly strong recommendation, but the value of this book's guidelines can't be understated.
Elements of Style contains the most valuable advice for any writer: “Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecssary sentences.”
Also, the chapter “Words and Expressions Commonly Misused” is not only helpful, but funny. More...
Elements of Style contains the most valuable advice for any writer: “Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecssary sentences.”
Also, the chapter “Words and Expressions Commonly Misused” is not only helpful, but funny. More...
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Dec 15, 2008
Mike
rated it:
The Elements of Style is considered the Bible of English grammar and style by many. After reading this book, I can see why.
I actually owned this book back in college, but I only used it as a reference; I didn't read it cover to cover. I now wish I had. At 85 pages, it is one of the shortest books I have ever read.
The book is divided into five parts: elementary rules of usage, elementary principles of composition, a few matters of form, words and expressions commonly misu More...
I actually owned this book back in college, but I only used it as a reference; I didn't read it cover to cover. I now wish I had. At 85 pages, it is one of the shortest books I have ever read.
The book is divided into five parts: elementary rules of usage, elementary principles of composition, a few matters of form, words and expressions commonly misu More...
Nov 16, 2011
Wesley
rated it:
If you write, regardless of the genre or style you should own this book. I never knew about it until a professor said that I would really benefit from it. I took his advice found a copy (used) shipped to me for $4.00 total. This thing is priceless.
I like to be spoken to clearly. I appreciate you might say. I love eye contact as well, it's respectful I think. I get his feeling when certain things aren't right, it's my wonderful subconscious I know warning me of something. Whether I'm More...
I like to be spoken to clearly. I appreciate you might say. I love eye contact as well, it's respectful I think. I get his feeling when certain things aren't right, it's my wonderful subconscious I know warning me of something. Whether I'm More...
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Mar 30, 2011
Margo
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book UNTIL I reached the last section titled "An Approach to Style." If I understand correctly, this last section was written by White, while the rest was written by Strunk. This disappointed me, because this last chapter was the one I most looked forward to reading.
The majority of the book is a list of rules, boring to read but very helpful to someone wanting to improve their writing skills.
Now, I am the FIRST to admit my writing skills ar More...
The majority of the book is a list of rules, boring to read but very helpful to someone wanting to improve their writing skills.
Now, I am the FIRST to admit my writing skills ar More...
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Feb 13, 2011
Corey
rated it: 
I am well aware that this book is held in very high regard by teachers, professors, and authors. My issue is not so much with the content of the book but with the fact that one must already have some background in grammar to understand the concepts Strunk is communicating.
For example, without a prior understanding of grammar, the following sentence would be meaningless to a reader: "Participial phrases preceded by a conjunction or by a preposition, nouns in apposition, adjective More...
For example, without a prior understanding of grammar, the following sentence would be meaningless to a reader: "Participial phrases preceded by a conjunction or by a preposition, nouns in apposition, adjective More...
Jan 06, 2011
Ant
rated it:
I do not entirely agree with its worst detractors who claim that 'The Elements of Style' is one of the worst things that could possibly have happened to the English language. And even less so I believe that it is responsible for much of the bad style we see today amongst English writers in the U.S.A.. I don’t believe that any book, even if it is as highly regarded as Elements in the United States, has the power to do that. However, I do find its status amongst Americans as a style bible and the
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Nov 21, 2010
The Chestertonian
rated it:
"I remember that I died laughing through that whole book. I went back and read it again for fun."
Okay, so I didn't think The Elements of Style was that funny--that was a classmate of mine. My own reaction to Strunk and White was horror. I had never known there could be so many wrong ways to use words; many of the wrong ways were habits for me. I had thought my writing was concise, but S&W convicted me of wordiness. Those two men were stern teachers to me.
After my in More...
Okay, so I didn't think The Elements of Style was that funny--that was a classmate of mine. My own reaction to Strunk and White was horror. I had never known there could be so many wrong ways to use words; many of the wrong ways were habits for me. I had thought my writing was concise, but S&W convicted me of wordiness. Those two men were stern teachers to me.
After my in More...
Sep 22, 2010
wally
rated it:
...should read this more often...and it also reminds me of these "big-little" books i read as a kid....space ghost...a comic in hardback? ....so, i turn to the index...the "split infinitive"...pages 58 and 78...i turn to look:
there is precedent from the fourteenth century down for interposing an adverb between to and infinitive it governs, but the construction should be avoided unless the writer wishes to place unusual stress on the adverb.More...
to diligently
Jun 15, 2010
Dana
rated it:
I am frequently asked what a writer needs in the way of reference works.
There are a lot of obvious answers, a dictionary, a thesaurus, a desk encyclopedia. But if I were stranded on a desert island–with my computer–the one essential guide I would have to have with me would be Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style.
The original edition was written as a textbook by English professor Will Strunk, Jr. It was revived, added to and published by one of his students, E.B. White, an More...
There are a lot of obvious answers, a dictionary, a thesaurus, a desk encyclopedia. But if I were stranded on a desert island–with my computer–the one essential guide I would have to have with me would be Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style.
The original edition was written as a textbook by English professor Will Strunk, Jr. It was revived, added to and published by one of his students, E.B. White, an More...
May 30, 2010
Soul
rated it:
A cottage industry of writers survives thanks to the concise yet profound knowledge found in The Elements of Style. It was required reading in college and should be part of the standard work contract. Weighing in at a nimble 95 pages, including the glossary, there are few books more densely packed with wisdom.
In the age of blogs, tweets and megabyte data streams, crisp clear communication is seldom seen. Few endeavor to contemplate how to communicate clearly. The Elements of Style is More...
In the age of blogs, tweets and megabyte data streams, crisp clear communication is seldom seen. Few endeavor to contemplate how to communicate clearly. The Elements of Style is More...
Dec 22, 2009
Nicholas
rated it:
Some books deserve highlighting. I'm normally averse to abusing a book, but my copy of Elements of Style is now dog-eared, bent up, and bleeding through from all the highlighter ink.
It's hard to tell exactly how much E.B. White added when he revised the work of Professor Strunk, but I would attribute a lot of the warmth and cleverness to the rewrite, as it comes from the same man who wrote Charlotte's Web.
If there's one flaw in the slim volume, it's in the beginning, whic More...
It's hard to tell exactly how much E.B. White added when he revised the work of Professor Strunk, but I would attribute a lot of the warmth and cleverness to the rewrite, as it comes from the same man who wrote Charlotte's Web.
If there's one flaw in the slim volume, it's in the beginning, whic More...
Jan 31, 2012
Lindu
rated it:
Rules are made to be broken, but it's "worthwhile" to know the rules.
Having already broken two or three Rules of Style in one sentence, I feel relieved.
Now then...
I might have given this guide 5 stars, but my view on language (among other things) suddenly shifted while reading the chapter on dictionaries and language-compiling in The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood. Nothing is immutable, not in science and certainly not in language. If a piece of in More...
Having already broken two or three Rules of Style in one sentence, I feel relieved.
Now then...
I might have given this guide 5 stars, but my view on language (among other things) suddenly shifted while reading the chapter on dictionaries and language-compiling in The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood. Nothing is immutable, not in science and certainly not in language. If a piece of in More...
Dec 08, 2011
James
rated it:
Style guides have three very useful functions, the third and least important of which is to help you write with style. Strunk's has rules aplenty, and while many of them are now somewhat dated or country specific, such as the Oxford comma and placing punctuation outside parentheses rather than within, the book is an interesting and readable guide to some of those style 'rules'.
The two other functions of style guides are much more important though. Firstly, you get to be smug towards pe More...
The two other functions of style guides are much more important though. Firstly, you get to be smug towards pe More...
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Mar 02, 2009
Natasha
rated it:
THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE is a great little pocket reference for all writers (creative, essay, or nonfiction).
What is most amazing is how it consolidates a wealth of information into accessible, bite-size chapters that are easy to search on and then easy to comprehend.
The sections that I have found the most helpful are:
1) Verb Subject Agreement for the exceptions, "one of" and "each and every".
2) Why using the Active Voice is better through exh More...
What is most amazing is how it consolidates a wealth of information into accessible, bite-size chapters that are easy to search on and then easy to comprehend.
The sections that I have found the most helpful are:
1) Verb Subject Agreement for the exceptions, "one of" and "each and every".
2) Why using the Active Voice is better through exh More...
Mar 14, 2008
Happyreader
rated it:
I swear these were the slowest 80 pages I've ever read. My God, this book is dry. I'm not saying I couldn't benefit from the info this book contains (yes, I know eliminating the not and going positive would be more concise -- like I said, I could use the help). I'm saying I only remember snippets because my mind went numb and blank. Hopefully, my subconscious captured some useful info (like maybe I'm not supposed to use hopefully -- if only I had been awake when I read that).
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