The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
by E. B. White, William Strunk Jr.
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.13 You Save: $4.82 (48%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.29 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
Book Review: Develop Your Own Style from Knowing the Basics
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who even thinks about wanting to write should have this book on the nighttable, or within easy reach of brief periodic readings. There are no opinions here, only straightforward, "this is how it is" rules and anecdotes of English instruction. The underlying point, like all good English books, is that there really is no new way to say, "it is," although overuse of "be" is a detriment to vivid writing. Rather, the point is certain words and expressions fade out and must eventually be replaced, such as "thee" and "thou." The English language, like all human languages, change over time, but some standards must remain. The use of plurals, capitalization, gerunds, prepositions, and so on, will still be the same.This book can be read cover to cover in less than four hours by an "average" reader, and after several more passes, the what was once forgotten rule becomes a part of memory. It is enjoyable to read because there are no tests. This book helped also me to write better. Before I would sit at my computer for a writing session, I would have the cadence of "The Elements of Style" going through my head. This book should be on the shelf of any would-be author, editor, word processor or office supervisor. Get it, read it, memorize it. Learn the basics before you move on to more complex pieces of writing. You will become more confident for having done so, and your readers will be able to tell.
Book Review: Prestigious
Summary: 4 Stars
I first became aware of Strunk and White when a college professor included it in the list of books required for a writing class. I tossed the book into my closet and forgot about it until recently, after I handed in a few papers that I felt were not up to my standards.Strunk and White is a quick read. What the book does is present the basics of English grammar and style in a way that anyone who wants to may improve their writing skills. I know I have several writing problems that need attention. I like to write in the passive voice when I should write in the active. I also like to add superfluous words when none are needed. Many of the words Strunk lists in his book are some of my favorites: as to whether, kind of/sort of, certainly, importantly, and many more. Strunk even attacks the use of the word very. It's going to be awhile before I can get that one out of my papers. Other helpful sections deal with commas, semicolons, and quotations.
I think an effective way to use this book is to just write a paper, mistakes and all, and then go back and see what needs to be changed. You'll drive yourself nuts if you try to change your writing as you go along. Change rarely occurs overnight, especially with a habit as deeply ingrained as bad writing style. I've had professors who claim the word but must never go at the beginning of a sentence. In other words, many highly educated people have no better grasp of grammar than the average person. Buy this book and show them up!
Book Review: A Tiny Bible for Writing
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is less than 100 pages long but it has lots of information about grammar, idioms and dictions that people often ignore and use misleadingly. Especially, nowadays when colloquial English dominated our language in advertisements, magazines and other media, this book is a easy-to-read guide to make us aware of the mistakes we are making. I mean, just the fact that E.B. White, a master storyteller, wrote this book has some credentials, don't you think?
I like how he explains things using a very common language (although this book was originally written for YALE students) and support what he means by providing examples. I thought this was a perfect guide to prepare students for the SAT tests or just improve one's writing in general, because he pinpoints common mistakes everyone makes. For example, a lot of people say "I try and do that" but grammatically and logically, it should be "I try to do that". Instead of looking through hundreds of pages of textbook which really will say the same things in vague words, just read this and you will be amazed at how much you can learn!
However, it should be marked down a little because he assumes too much things from the readers. The author, E.B. White, assumes that we know grammatical vocabularies like indirect or direct pronouns which can be very confusing. So if you are a beginner in grammar, this book should come later on the road.
Otherwise, it was a very informative and helpful read.
Book Review: A polishing cloth for writers
Summary: 5 Stars
I discovered The Elements of Style as an undergraduate student. By the time I entered university my writing style was already clear: the guidance provided by this book made it clearer. I credit my application of the directions contained in The Elements of Style with a consistent half to a full grade improvement in my university course results (that's about 5 to 10 marks). Now that I work as a lecturer, I recommend it to all my students.
The Elements of Style is succinct - fewer than 150 pages. Yet, in its limited space it manages to provide a wealth of good advice, and examples to illustrate how that advice, when taken, improves writing.
Do not feel that you have to read this book cover to cover. Instead, start with the section on Words and Expressions Commonly Misused. Even some very good writers make the mistakes illustrated in that section. After this, try Chapter 2 on principles of composition, which lays out clear and simple rules that anyone can follow to improve their writing. Make sure you read Chapter 1 as well: the other chapters you can take or leave as you choose.
One strategy I find very helpful is to use the Find function in Microsoft Word to search drafts of my writing for aspects that the Elements highlights as troublesome. From there, I try to eliminate or rework the problem areas. Try this for yourself, it is a good way to get the most from the book.
Book Review: Powerful Words for Such a Little Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I was handed a copy of the 80-year old classic, "Elements of Style," as a young man over twenty-five years ago as part of my orientation package when I started college. I recently read it again as a refresher and I suddenly realized what a timeless classic it is. Of all the books I've read about grammar and writing this is the one to which I refer over and over again.
It's a tiny little book; almost a pamphlet. But world renowned authors swear by it. You will too. The meat of the book is compacted down into three simple groups of "rules." They consist of eleven "Elementary Rules of Usage," eleven "Elementary Rules of Composition," and eleven "Matters of Form." I'm not sure if there's some cosmic meaning behind the number "eleven," but I couldn't ask for a more concise, to-the-point set of principles to guide me as I write my prose.
The feature I like best about this book is how easy it makes grammatical research. No heavy tombs to thumb through trying to find an obscure rule of grammar. No need to hop back and forth between computer screens to search for a phrase. Just a quick little reference guide that easily fits in my shirt pocket that stands ready to come to my aide on a moments notice. This book is the most important contribution to literary arts since pen and paper.
Anyone who is serious about improving the quality of his or her writing must own this handy little book.