The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
by E. B. White, William Strunk Jr.
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Book Reviews of The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
Book Review: Essential
Summary: 5 Stars
As the 'rules' in this iconic book take up only 14 pages, it continually amazes me how often I can find the answer to a grammar or punctuation guestion within those pages. It doesn't cover everything, and some of the 'rules' are of course changing with the passage of time - but if a wannabe writer can't afford a whole bookcase of tomes on How to Write, then this is the one he or she should buy.Beyond those 14 pithy pages, however, are another 100 or so that extend the value of the book immeasurably: Principles of Composition, Commonly Misused Words, and perhaps the most valuable: An Approach to Style, which gives excellent advice along the lines of Do not overwrite, Avoid qualifiers, Don't over-explain, Avoid adverbs, Avoid dialect, Don't inject opinion, and tons of others.
When all's said and done, however, one of the very best parts is a wonderful essay by the inimitable EB White himself - the Introduction, which serves as a perfect example of all that the rest of the small book preaches: write concisely, clearly, and well, and say something worthwhile.
Other books for writers to consider: Bird by Bird, On Writing, and Writing Down the Bones.
Book Review: Short and concise, the way you should write
Summary: 5 Stars
This book can be read in a couple hours (at most), but despite its short length, it provides many useful suggestions to help clarify one's writing. It is mostly a collection of simple rules and their explanations, all of which are easy to grasp and to employ in one's writing. As in George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language," the central theme here is to be clear. Be precise and don't confuse the reader. The table of contents list the rules, so once you've read the book, you can just flip to the contents to remind yourself of them. If you want to improve your writing, there are many books on the topic, but here is where to start. If you disagree with the rules as some Amazon reviewers do, fine. The authors are dead, and I'm sure they won't take it too personally if you criticize their work. But I don't find the rules restrictive. To the contrary, unless you really know the language and are adept at using it, you can't break these rules without making a terrible blunder. Anybody who writes will benefit from spending an hour or so skimming through this book once every few years.
Book Review: The write stuff
Summary: 5 Stars
It's always humbling, when you've been writing for decades and start to believe you know what you're doing, when one book proves you wrong over and over.
More professional writers keep "The Elements of Style" at hand's reach than any other. And it's no wonder. White and Strunk's timeless masterpiece is a no-nonsense guide to writing well and writing by the rules.
I've been a newspaper crime reporter for a dozen years. I've won awards for news writing and for my weekly column, and I've written three novels. And yet, simple matters of style frequently elude me (I have accepted this now) and they always will. Strunk and White are right there, and I cannot remember the last time they failed to provide the tips I was looking for.
It gets said over and over. Aspiring writers must have this book. The advice needs to be expanded to include those who have been writing for years and still manage to produce clunkers that violate sacred rules and leave readers wondering what the hell they meant.
Strunk and White have done more for the art of writing in this slim volume than the pen and lined paper.
Book Review: Great Advice for Better Writing
Summary: 5 Stars
Strunk & White is not manual on grammar, but a guidebook for clear, concise, and more effective writing. It doesn't harp on meaningless, useless grammatical quibbles such as split-infinitives, placement of prepositions, and such. Instead, it points out a few simple guidelines for improving writing *style*, such as the use of active voice, brevity, consistency, and clarity. Some knowledge of grammar may be necessary, but much of it is explained in the handy glossary.Adding to this advice from William Strunk, E. B. White includes some other general guidelines: "Write in a way that comes naturally," "Use orthodox spelling," and "Don't explain too much."
All of these little gems of advice aren't hard-and-fast rules set in stone, but rather small bits of general advice collected into a compact book. They can be broken, but for the most part, they are sensible and very useful in making writing more vivid, lively, and effective.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to launch a career in writing. Read it, use it, absorb it. It can only help.
Book Review: Required for All Writers and Editors
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Elements of Style" is necessary for any student of style and grammar.
Succinct in a world filled with verbose grammars and style manuals, Strunk's famous little book provides the basics on which good writing is based. From writers to copy clerks, from communications professionals to managers of corporate marcom, you will all find it valuable. For freelancers like myself, writing for varied clients, between this, and the Associated Press Stylebook: And Libel Manual (tends to be used more by marketing and journalism), you will have most style issues covered.
Add it to your library. Scan through it to realize its value. Then, when a question comes up, you will know it can be resolved here. It won't be a mere dusty volume of platitudes never considered, but a well-thumbed tome of timeless truths for the English language.
I fully recommend "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr., et al.
Anthony Trendl
http://anthonytrendl.com