The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

By William Strunk Jr

The Elements of Style is an American English writing style guide. It is one of the most influential and best-known prescriptive treatments of English grammar and usage in the United States. It originally detailed eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, and "a few matters of form" as well as a list of commonly misused words and expressions. Updated editions of the paperback book are often required reading for American high school and college composition classes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MVP
• Release date: Mar 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9782291002857

William Strunk Jr

William Strunk, Jr. (1869-1946) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the eldest of William and Ella Garretson Strunk's four children. Strunk excelled in school, eventually earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and a PhD at Cornell University. He then attended the Sorbonne and the Collège de France from 1898-99 where he studied morphology and philology. Strunk began his academic career teaching mathematics at Rose Polytechnical Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana from 1890-91, then returned to Cornell and taught English there for 46 years. In 1922 he published English Metres, a study of poetic metrical form, and began writing he critical editions of various classical works. Strunk joined a literary group called the Manuscript Club which held Saturday night meetings to discuss writing and literature. There, Strunk met and became friends with a young aspiring writer, Elwyn Brooks ("E.B.") White. In 1918, Strunk published The Elements of Style, but originally only intended it to be used by his Cornell students, who nicknamed it "the little book." In 1935, Strunk and Edward A. Tenney revised the manuscript and re-published the guide for wider distribution as The Elements and Practice of Composition. Years later, after Strunk had passed away, E.B. White - now working at the New Yorker - praised the "little book" in his column, calling it a "forty-three-page summation of the case for cleanliness, accuracy, and brevity in the use of English." As a result of the new attention White's praise generated for Strunk's manuscript, Macmillan and Company commissioned White to revise the 1935 edition for republication. The resulting book became an immediate hit. Since The Elements of Style (now credited to both Strunk and White) was originally republished in 1959, sales of the book - and subsequent editions - has exceeded ten million copies and the book is often referred to simply as "Strunk and White." William Strunk retired from Cornell in 1937 and in 1945 he suffered a mental breakdown, diagnosed as "senile psychosis." He died less than a year later at the Hudson River Psychiatric Institute in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Introductory

This book is intended for use in English courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature. It aims to give in a brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention (in Chapters II and III) on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated. The numbers of the sections may be used as references in correcting manuscript.

The book covers only a small portion of the field of English style, but the experience of its writer has been that once past the essentials, students profit most by individual instruction based on the problems of their own work, and that each instructor has his own body of theory, which he prefers to that offered by any textbook.

The writer's colleagues in the Department of English in Cornell University have greatly helped him in the preparation of his manuscript. Mr. George McLane Wood has kindly consented to the inclusion under Rule 11 of some material from his Suggestions to Authors.

The following books are recommended for reference or further study: in connection with Chapters II and IV:

F. Howard Collins, Author and Printer (Henry Frowde);

Chicago University Press, Manual of Style;

T. L. De Vinne Correct Composition (The Century Company);

Horace Hart, Rules for Compositors and Printers (Oxford University Press);

George McLane Wood, Extracts from the Style-Book of the Government Printing Office (United States Geological Survey);

In connection with Chapters III and V:

Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Art of Writing (Putnams), especially the chapter, Interlude on Jargon;

George McLane Wood, Suggestions to Authors (United States Geological Survey);

John Leslie Hall, English Usage (Scott, Foresman and Co.);

James P. Kelly, Workmanship in Words (Little, Brown and Co.).

It is an old observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric. When they do so, however, the reader will usually find in the sentence some compensating merit, attained at the cost of the violation. Unless he is certain of doing as well, he will probably do best to follow the rules. After he has learned, by their guidance, to write plain English adequate for everyday uses, let him look, for the secrets of style, to the study of the masters of literature.

Chapter 2

Elementary Rules of Usage

1. Form the possessive singular of nouns with 's.

Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. 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 University Press.

Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names in -es and -is, the possessive Jesus' , and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake. But such forms as Achilles' heel, Moses' laws, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by

the heel of Achilles

the laws of Moses

the temple of Isis

The pronominal possessives hers, its, theirs, yours, and oneself have no apostrophe.

2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.

Thus write,

red,

Reviews for The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

[abeckert23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really a wonderful guide. It's not just a guide, though! I actually read it front to back and the voice of these men blends and instructs with sharp wit and dry humor. There are one-liners here on writing that are priceless!

[nocturnish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you're only going to buy one writing reference book, this is the one you want. It's the bedrock upon which clear, understandable prose is based.

[anartsnotebook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Bible of writing. In fact, more Library Thing members have this Bible than the King James Bible. I checked.

[kaulsu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

How did I ever get out of high school without having to read this book? At any rate, it is small enough that no student, ever, should be allowed to graduate without having read it!And, surprisingly, it is quite readable. Who knew? the 4th edition has been updated to reflect modern slang and other 'with-it-isms' students should be on the lookout for. Oops. Just ended that sentence with a preposition. Tsk, tsk.

[andrewlovesoldbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If everybody in the world read this book before afflicting us with their writing, the world would be a better place. THE book on improving one's writing style.

[caitlin.la.folle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Indispensable.

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic book on usage, composition, form and style, it's less than 100 pages and is a miracle of lucidity and succinctness. Most memorable rule? Easy: 13. Omit needless words.

[brikis98 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fairly boring read - the book is just a long list of grammar and style suggestions - but a decent reference to check every now and then. That said, if you already know what to look for, a google search is likely more effective. Therefore, a quick read through of this sort of book may be useful to know what questions to ask.

[jonarnold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nearly a century on it remains an excellent guide to clear communication, though time has rendered the tone prescriptive enough to make you want to commit the occasional atrocity to the language just to annoy the long dead author.

[cecilturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This little book is a great reminder of how easy it is to write in clear, plain English, but how it is just as easy to stumble into common pitfalls. Concrete, prescriptive and short, this book is a great quick reference. Witty and sometimes downright funny examples keep the reader's interest up. I will definitely have this handy little book by my side at the office. Administrative mumble jumble has become too common for me to fall prey to it. This will help me stay on the straight path!

[thebooknerd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

 This is one of the most important reference books for any student to own. I used it frequently during my college days, even still pull it down from the shelf from time to time. To the point, clearly written, it really is the perfect guide to writing.

[ntempest_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic. I remember seeing my first copy in seventh grade English class and thinking what a clever, handy little book. I think I've probably gone through a few copies of my own since then. Other style books may be bigger and cover more complex usage situations, but really, if you have Strunk and White the chances are good you can find an answer to your question.

[murdocke23 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

 From a writer as an ode to his late teacher, it's a great pocket book reference/words of wisdom for writing in any medium. Does what it sets out to do—clearly—and that's about it.

[wktarin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, if a bit stodgy at moments.

[angharad_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It astonishes me that at the age of 31 and a half, I've only just acquired Strunk and White. Everyone who is glad to own a dictionary should have this too. Classic reference work.

[ryoung_971385 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Goes right to the basics with excellent ideas and examples.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I find this a great resource for both teaching and reference. It is laid out in a practical and clear way, the examples and lessons are easy to understand and pithy. Someday, I will actually remember everything in it and then I will sound very educated and eloquent.

[danbarrett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best book of it's kind, ever. Wins on substance, personality, and ease-of-putting-in-your-pocket. If you don't own this book then you should.

[lndlindsey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of two books I keep in my laptop case. Not exhaustive, but very handy.

[tyroeternal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Elements of Style is an invaluable reference to anyone who writes (everyone). Revisit it often and you will see its secrets permeate your writing. At 100 pages it fits in anyone's reading schedule and bookshelf.

[jbd1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The classic reference for writing style. Often useful.

[grinningdwarf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you write ANYTHING...you need this book!

[edwin6gleaves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The classic among style manuals--simple, practical, urbane.

[ulfhjorr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Compact and easy to use, but it can really sharpen your writing. I'm recommending it to my students now, and I'll be adding it as a suggested book on all future syllabi.

[popejephei · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While not really the sacred text of written style that some American high school English teachers still try to make it, Elements of Style nevertheless remains a high watermark for literary style guides. It's slipping into irrelevancy as people cease to read and write books, alas.

[kayceel_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic resource: simple yet exhaustive, in the best sense of the word. A must-have, must-read, must-consult-often for any writer.

[kvhardy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got this book over a year ago, and refer to it again and again. And again. While not a thick book, this book is essential in being able to write properly, even if you just want to write an email. And one of the best things about it (to me), is its explantions on commas and apostrophes, and all those nebulous areas of grammar.

[wishanem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read more criticism than support of "The Elements of Style", and most of the complaints are valid. Regardless of its faults it should not be ignored or forgotten. While not always technically correct its advice is brief, direct, and positive. Don't take it too seriously and it can't hurt you.

If you write, read it.

[brianinbuffalo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An absolute must-own for every writer. I've been teaching journalism/communications classes since 1986, and I've been recommending this book to students every semester.

[deckla_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the original 1918 version, not the expansion with E.B. White's wit. Evidently, Strunk AND White is not available in a digital edition; only Strunk, because he's out of copyright. The one with Maira Kalman's illustrations is also not available in digital form.