The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition by William Strunk Jr., E. B. White
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Book Reviews of The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
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
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent book with no clutter. This book is for people who already know the basics of grammar. Unfortunatley, many people don't know a verb from a noun, and for these people, this book won't benefit them. If you paid attention in grade school, and already know how to write, then this book will help you get much better. As an aside, I read some of the one star reviews and enjoyed a few laughs. Some of these people can't string two sentences together (one claiming he is a writer) and bash this book. Some claim that this book is about writing flowery language. This is nonsense. This book teaches you how to write simply and clearly; that being verbose destroys your message.
As for those who say that the rules are too rigid? Just ask yourself if you believe that the non-standard English (ebonics) used in ghettos is an effective way to speak and write. It might be, for people who plan on staying in the ghetto, but not for those who want to succeed in the mainstream, productive society. We have rules of language for a reason; so people can understand each other.
Book Review: A vigorous defense of clear writing
Summary: 5 Stars
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White remains within easy reach some 23 years after I started earning my living as a writer and editor. Despite attempts by many pundits to displace this venerable guide, it remains solidly perched at the top of the heap of texts on writing and editing.This book endures for many reasons, including the clear, concise prose that strikes to the heart of the matter; splendid examples that do not try to be cute; and short imperatives that codify the essence of good writing.
No copy editor can go forth unless armed with this book, and any writer striving to deliver an understandable message likely has a dog-eared copy lying about.
These precepts about clarity, correctness, and conciseness cut across all disciplines. Hence, this vigorous defense of clear writing is needed more than ever as a tidal wave of information, most of it ill-conceived, openly manipulative, and poorly written, floods our consciousness.
Having an enduring touchstone such as The Elements of Style available helps one write better and dismiss boorish drivel more easily.
Book Review: Witty, concise, far superior to other style guides
Summary: 5 Stars
The Elements of Style is more than just a concisely written review of grammar and usage lessons, it is a tribute by E.B. White to the wry spirit of his former English instructor, who illustrates style and grammar lessons with droll examples and commentary: "In ordinary composition, use orthodox spelling. Do not write "nite" for "night," "thru" for "through," "pleez for please," unless you plan to introduce a complete system of simplified spelling and are prepared to take the consequences." This book is more in the spirit of a humorous and inspirational series of essays about writing, like Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" than it is like a grammar or style guide (except for the fact that it *is* a grammar and style guide, and an excellent, classic yet modern one). Everyone says it's a "must have" for writers but more than that, buy it for its delightful brevity and wit... a refreshingly clever and intelligent style not often seen in instructional texts.