What is the best way to read strunk and whites elements. The elements of style by william strunk free ebook. The elements of style illustrated by william strunk, e. Among whites other works is points of my compass 1962. The elements of style is the definitive text and classic manual on the principles of english language read by millions of readers. Whites inexplicably beloved writing reference book, the elements of style. Other articles where the elements of style is discussed. The project gutenberg ebook of the elements of style, by william strunk this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Beyond clarity and grace, participating in hours of classroom discussion, and writing five short essays on the topic, im struck by the complexity of evaluating writing style. Thus write, charless friend burnss poems the witchs malice this is the usage of the united states government printing office and of the oxford.
Key elements of good writing style after reading william strunk jr. The 18 main topics are organized under the headings, elementary rules of usage, elementary principles of composition, a few matters of form, words and expressions commonly misused, and words often misspelled. That being said, you can understand most of the rules from context, absorbing it by osmosis. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last. Eb white was a student if william strunk will at cornell. In its original, privately printed guise, the elements of style was a 43page summary of, in whites words, the case for cleanliness, accuracy. The unexpected harmony and partnership of strunk and whites have fulfilled their central claim successfully, namely clarity of writing still comes from concision and precision. The only style manual to ever appear on a bestseller list now refreshed by one of our most beloved illustrators every english writer knows strunk and whites the elements of style.
The elements of style was listed as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in english since 1923 by time in its 2011 list. White was a student in professor strunks class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. This is the elements of style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. Every english writer knows strunk and whites the elements of style. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain english style. It covers all the bases and should provide the foundation for any writer out there p. A summary of the elements of style by strunk and white by bruce june 11, 2014 lifehelps 3 comments no doubt this has been done by someone else out there on the web, but i thought that for my perusal and for my future reference id jot william strunks rules with e. However, it is readerss or readers duty to read everything, even style critically, and henceforth rather than considering their rules and principles as rigid laws. Linkpage citation 9780205632640 the elements of style, 5th ed. Upon its release, charles poor, writing for the new york times, called it a splendid trophy for all who are interested in reading and writing.
The book was known on the campus in those days as the little book, with the stress on the word little. Strunk and whites elements of style 1957 words 123. The elements of style teaches you that simple is always better. What is the best way to read strunk and whites elements of. For advice on style, the elements of style is useful. Amazon lists 12 different paperback formats, plus a half dozen or more other editions. Guth, appeared in 1976, his collected essays in 1977, and poems and sketches of. However, it is readers s or readers duty to read everything, even style critically, and henceforth rather than considering their rules and principles as rigid laws. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. White wrote this introduction for the 1979 edition. The elements of style by strunk and white introduction. Most versions of the book contain 5 sections that follow a brief introduction by white, including a brief biography of strunk and his initial work at cornell. The elements of style, revised edition, by william strunk jr. It gives advice on grammar, word choice, appropriate use of different syntactical constructions and similar topics.
The elements of style wikisource, the free online library. Intended for use in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in brief space the principal requirements of. Strunk and whites elements of style 1957 words 123 help me. Unfortunately im a little overwhelmed by the minor variations. S if you got feedback on my writing, please please do let me know. This book describes the writing of strunk and whites elements of style. Oct 18, 2009 over a decade later, whites new yorker essay charmed jack case, an editor at macmillan who imagined that elements could catch fire in an age when english instructors had gone whoring. This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. The elements of style edition 4 by william strunk, e. Every englishlanguage writer knows strunk and whites famous little writing manual, the elements of style. White took professor strunks writing class, where they utilized the precursor professor strunks four volume book elements of style. In criticizing the elements of style, geoffrey pullum, professor of linguistics at the university of edinburgh, and coauthor.
This is also the usage of the government printing office and of the oxford university press. It is liberally illustrated with examples, with correct and incorrect usage in parallel, and has a whole section on common mistakes. The elements of style edition 4 available in hardcover, paperback. It is now being used as a textbook in classes at university of minnesota. This public document was automatically mirrored from pdfy. Tenney later revised it for publication as the elements and practice of composition 1935. It is one of the most influential and bestknown prescriptive treatments of english grammar and usage in the united states. Whites inexplicably beloved writing reference book, the. The most important rule of style in strunk and white s elements of style is number, omit needless words.
This updated 2018 classic edition contains the original version of william strunk s the elements of style, plus a variety of enhancements that make this book even more useful. The books mantra, make every word tell, is still on point. Although not qualified as an expert judge of the grammatical advice in the elements of style, i do feel qualified to analyze mr. 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. Many people between the ages of seventeen and seventy can recite the book s mantramake every word tell and still refer to their tattered grade school copy when in need of a hint on how to make a turn of phrase clearer, or a reminder on how to enliven prose with the active voice. The book has been, is, and will undoubtedly continue to. This muchloved classic, now in its fourth edition, will forever be the goto guide when in need of a hint to make a turn of phrase clearer or. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by showing you how to enliven your sentences. Its fairly easy to make a case that you should read it in the dark, or with your eyes closed, because its so full of incorrect, pointless or outdated advice, inconsistencies, and actual grammatical mistakes. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of the elements of. Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic reference book is a musthave for any student and conscientious writer. This book describes the writing of strunk and white s elements of style. Will felt that the reader was in serious trouble most of the time, a man floundering in a swamp, and that it was the duty of anyone attempting to write english to drain this swamp quickly and get his man up on dry ground, or at least throw him.
Tenney, 1935 by oliver strunk introduction omit needless words. The elements of style by strunk and white introduction to. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions. Strunk and whites the elements of style receives frequent mention in articles about writing originating as a classroom study aid prepared by cornell english professor william strunk in 1918, this widelyused desk reference of english usage, form, and style continues to influence writers after a hundred years. This is professor strunks advice regarding this rule.
Download elements of style 2017 ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. This is professor strunk s advice regarding this rule. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after. Thus write, charles s friend burns s poems the witch s malice this is the usage of the united states government printing office and of the oxford. The elements of style by strunk and white is the most popular book on writing well and clearly. John mcwhorter on strunk and whites the elements of style. Every englishlanguage writer knows strunk and white s famous little writing manual, the elements of style. Contents preface iii i introductory 1 ii elementary rules of usage 3 1. Oct 31, 2017 its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. White took professor strunk s writing class, where they utilized the precursor professor strunk s four volume book elements of style. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959. Start studying strunk and whites elements of style punctuation rules.
Over a decade later, whites new yorker essay charmed jack case, an editor at macmillan who imagined that elements could catch fire in an age when english instructors had gone whoring. And now the elements of stylethe most widely read and employed english style manualis available in a specially bound 50th anniversary edition that offers the titles vast audience an opportunity to own a more durable and elegantly bound edition of this timetested classic. Intended for use in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in brief space the principal requirements of plain english style and concentrates attention on the rules. Strunk and whites the elements of style deals only with style in the narrow sense. It s fairly easy to make a case that you should read it in the dark, or with your eyes closed, because it s so full of incorrect, pointless or outdated advice, inconsistencies, and actual grammatical mistakes. Many people between the ages of seventeen and seventy can recite the books mantramake every word telland still refer to their tattered grade school copy when in need of a hint on how to make a turn of phrase clearer, or a reminder on how to enliven prose with the. White was a student in professor strunk s class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. The elements of style, by william strunka project gutenberg. This book s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to millions of readers. Cornell university english professor william strunk jr. All through the elements of style one finds evidences of the authors deep sympathy for the reader. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The elements of style oliver strunk contents foreword ix introduction xiii i.
This muchloved classic, now in its fourth edition, will forever be the goto guide when in need of a hint to make a turn of phrase clearer or a reminder. In the names of business firms the last comma is omitted, as brown, shipley and company. Its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. And now the elements of style the most widely read and employed english style manualis available in a specially bound 50th anniversary edition that offers the titles vast audience an opportunity to own a more durable and elegantly bound edition of this timetested classic. For rules of grammar the elements of grammar might be more appropriate. The unexpected harmony and partnership of strunk and white s have fulfilled their central claim successfully, namely clarity of writing still comes from concision and precision. The most important rule of style in strunk and whites elements of style is number, omit needless words. B whites former professor composed this miniguide to editing content and the style of minimalism in writing, which he in turn published on a larger scale and added some of his own wisdom to. Strunk and whites elements of style punctuation rules.
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