The Elements of Style ( 4th Edition)

By William Strunk and Bookish

'The Elements of Style' (1918), by William Strunk, Jr., is an American English writing style guide. It is the best-known, most influential prescriptive treatment of English grammar and usage, and often is required reading and usage in U.S. high school and university composition classes. This edition of 'The Elements of Style' details eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, "a few matters of form", and a list of commonly misused words and expressions.

Why Choose The Elements of Style?
✔ AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE: Known as the definitive guide to English writing, The Elements of Style has been empowering writers for over a century.
✔ CONCISE AND COMPREHENSIVE: With its concise approach, the book distills complex grammar, style, and composition concepts into practical tips that can be implemented immediately.
✔ WRITING EXCELLENCE: Learn how to avoid common errors, employ the active voice, and create impactful sentences.
✔ VERSATILE APPLICATION: Essential for academic writing, creative writing, business communications, and daily correspondence.
✔ BONUS CONTENT: This eBook edition offers an introduction to the lasting legacy of Strunk and White, as well as an exploration of the evolution of the English language.
✔ KINDLE OPTIMIZED: With an interactive table of contents and a reader-friendly layout, this eBook is tailor-made for a seamless Kindle reading experience.

Make your words count! Whether you're penning the next great novel, preparing an academic paper, or drafting a business proposal, The Elements of Style is the invaluable companion you need for writing success.

Don't miss the chance to add this enduring classic to your eBook library. Master the art of precision in language with The Elements of Style!

Auteur Strunk, William, 1869-1946
Titre The Elements of Style
Langue Anglais
Classe LoC PE: Language and Literatures: English
Sujet English language -- Rhetoric
Sujet English language -- Style
Sujet Report writing

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bookish
• Release date: Nov 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9782380378467

Book preview

William Strunk Jr.

Published: 1918

Categorie(s): Non-Fiction

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, white,

Reviews for The Elements of Style ( 4th Edition)

[ghost_boy-691444 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has been on my shelf for too long. I'm glad I actually read the whole thing instead of glancing. I'll be rereading this book many times.

[donbarger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a good reference book on the elements of academic writing. The book provides several examples to follow and many rules. It is an easy read and should be kept as reference material.

[scottcholstad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A virtual necessity yet considering its age, a wonder that it’s still relevant. A legend for a reason and an essential foundational work.

[emanate28 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like the concise points and don't understand what the controversy is about the book; his points make sense to me and seem valid, especially for student writers.

[rajivc_18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am surprised that anyone would give this book a one-star rating, and yet some people have done that. I have no arguments with them, as we each have our own view of the books we read.For me, this is a brilliant book. I did not think that it would take me ten days to read 97 pages, but it did. The writing style is simple, and not a word is wasted. It was well worth the time I took to read the book carefully. The rules have been laid out in a simple manner, and the examples are clear. I like this book so much, that I ordered two paperback copies, one for my son and one for me. It is good to have this book as a handy reference. Prof Strunk seems to have been a man of exceptional clarity of thought, and this is reflected in the manner in which he has laid out the book, and given the examples. Mr White's section is a very useful addition. It adds to the value of the book. It is an essential guide to any aspiring writer.

[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.

[trile1000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A short, concise, and practical reference for those who want to improve their writing skills.

[erisprincipia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To seem effortless in one's writing, practice and attention to detail make for perfection.

[lndlindsey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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

[tatoosh-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It has been years since I first looked at an earlier version of Elements of Style, but my intention to review Elements again finally resulted in action. The 4th edition contains the rules on usage, principles of composition, notes on manuscript form, and list of commonly misused words and expression that earlier readers will expect. White has added a new chapter to this edition detailing his approach to style.While much of the material is applicable today’s, some of it is dated. Most troublesome is the coverage of words and expressions. Perceptive writers will recognize those admonitions that have become outdated but less experienced readers may be led astray. Elements is an easy read with 85 pages of text and a seven-page glossary. There is far too much detail to memorize but a periodic review will be beneficial to most writers. That preparation will be sufficient to allow most readers to use the text as a handy reference book.

[lee_ann-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always good to recap occasionally and give this a reread.

[cdiemert-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain English style. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by showing you how to enliven your sentences.

[csoki637 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It has some good advice on writing and some terrible lies about grammar.

[jennysbookbag.com · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Every writer should read this. It's short and sweet, but you'll still get something out of it in addition to the joy of checking it off of your To Read list.

[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.

[chwiggy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great style guide for non fiction and fiction. Tart rules for everything written.

[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.

[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!

[trilliams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A bit intense on grammar vocabulary, but beyond that, an invaluable handbook.

[mathewbridle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not as good as blurb suggests.

[chris_el-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So I read this about 5 or 6 times and then CLEP'ed English comp 1. Great book that simply explains the things you need to know to communicate well in writing. :)

[philsyphe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I first read this before starting a creative writing & English course at university in 2009 and read it again at the end of my degree when I decided to become a proofreader (& later a copy-editor too).Some criticize this for being dated. In some respects it is. For example, one instruction is to write "some one" not "someone". This confused me at first, but further study of English style from more modern sources helped me define what rules were out of date in this book.Thus, my final verdict is that this is a good investment - even Stephen King has used it and recommends that all aspiring authors invest in a copy. A good story written with bad style is not really a good story after all.Amongst other things, this book guides you with writing well-structured sentences, advises how and when to use punctuation, and lists certain words that should be avoided for the sake of good form.The first time I read this I found it hard going, but it appeared much more straightforward upon a second reading. Bearing this in mind, a more modern book on style may be a better first choice for someone wanting to improve their form, but once they learn the basics then reading this should be worth their while.

[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.

[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.

[locriian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great book, however I disagree with their opposition to the use of singular "they".

[authorraezryans · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a must to read if not to own and reference. The updated version gives further insight and explanation, but overall the information remains valid for writers in the modern day. I refer to this when needed or when instructing writing.

[datrappert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is still the best short guide to English grammar and usage, although you could argue with a few points.

[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.

[ptferris96 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is one of the books I was assigned for my AP English Language and Comp summer reading. I was assigned to write a book review for it, so here it is:

Many students in high school and college find writing to be one of the most challenging assignments. They oftentimes do not know how to properly express their thoughts and experience confusion, or they may forget essential rules in writing and grammar, leading to poor results. The Elements of Style was written specifically to help writers of any age in any profession who may have similar problems in order to improve their work.
Originally published in 1919, The Elements of Style was written by William Strunk Jr., an English professor at Cornell, as a textbook for students in his class. It was often referred to on campus as “the little book” due to its brevity. E.B White, one of his former students, updated the volume after Strunk’s death for the college market, and introduced modern changes to the original text. Since its publication in 1959, it has become extremely popular and has sold an estimated 10 million copies.
The book, now in its fourth edition, is split into five chapters. The chapters discuss the eleven basic rules of usage, eleven strategies in writing and composition, matters of form, commonly misused words and expressions, and twenty-one rules on style. Various rules throughout the volume include “Do not break sentences in two” (7), “Use the active voice” (18), and “Keep related words together” (28). One of the best examples of a rule from the book is Rule 17 in the chapter Elementary Principles of Composition, “Omit needless words”, which states,

Vigorous writing is concise. 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 a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. (23)

Examples are provided for many of the rules, making it easier for the reader to understand how they can be applied in writing. To further elaborate on the rule quoted above, Strunk and White show that “there is no doubt but that” can be shortened to “no doubt”, “he is a man who” to “he”, “in a hasty manner” to “hastily”, and “the reason why is that” to simply “because”. The rule also includes how “the fact that” should be edited out of every sentence in which it is used. It states that presenting complex ideas in one sentence instead of explaining them step by step with multiple sentences is a good way to avoid being verbose.
The middle chapters of the book were quite helpful. A Few Matters of Form answers many commonly asked questions on how to write certain parts of your work. Topics covered include exclamations, numerals, parenthesis, and titles. Words and Expressions Commonly Misused provides words that don’t necessarily sound good in writing. Examples on how they can be fixed are also provided. Many of the words given are ones that I’ve noticed I use too frequently, so the chapter has become an important tool for improving my writing.
The rules provide a great reference point for writers and students to quickly refer to a bit of key information they may require. Writers on any level can find something useful in this slim volume. That being said, I would not recommend reading this book like a regular novel. It is written much like a mini-textbook. It requires a strong understanding of English grammar. Since it was written for college level students, I would be somewhat hesitant to recommend it for high school students unless they are already well-versed in English. The Elements of Style presents a good, basic rule book for writing and the English language in general, but is not necessarily for everyone.

[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.