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. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after. This is professor strunk s advice regarding this rule. It aims at providing a set of rules and tips on how to write properly, if not elegantly. The elements of style is the definitive text and classic manual on the principles of english language read by millions of readers.
I already own strunk and whites the elements of style. The elements of style home cornell astronomy cornell university. 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. It is one of the most influential and bestknown prescriptive treatments of english grammar and usage in the united states. Among whites other works is points of my compass 1962. He is best known for this book the elements of style, which was revised and enlarged by a former student of his, e. The elements of style is indeed a dusty textbook 1918, but still widely in use today. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions.
White wrote this introduction for the 1979 edition. For rules of grammar the elements of grammar might be more appropriate. 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. Other articles where the elements of style is discussed. The elements of style by strunk and white introduction to. 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.
John mcwhorter on strunk and whites the elements of 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. 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. This public document was automatically mirrored from pdfy. 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. This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain english style. The land of the free and the elements of style linguistics and. In 1935, strunk issued a revised edition, titled the elements and practice of composition, with edward a. 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. Although not qualified as an expert judge of the grammatical advice in the elements of style, i do feel qualified to analyze mr. Every englishlanguage writer knows strunk and white s famous little writing manual, the elements of style.
Unfortunately im a little overwhelmed by the minor variations. Yet whites first block of ex amples includes this one. White reports but white had already been dead for 15 years, so. The elements of style illustrated by william strunk, e. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines. Aug 18, 2011 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. White was a student in professor strunk s class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The elements of style by william strunk free ebook. In its original, privately printed guise, the elements of style was a 43page summary of, in whites words, the case for cleanliness, accuracy. 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. Oct 31, 2017 its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. White was a student in professor strunks class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. And nowthe 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.
This part of the book is concerned with attitudes in writing, with mr. The elements of style also known as the little book by fellow cornell students is the product of a disciplined mind forged through years of studying rhetoric, form and logic. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of the elements of. The elements of style by strunk and white introduction. 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. It has the fourth edition cover, but its actually the free project gutenberg 1st edition, written solely by william strunk. Amazon lists 12 different paperback formats, plus a half dozen or more other editions.
Cornell university english professor william strunk, jr. The most important rule of style in strunk and whites elements of style is number, omit needless words. 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. Jul 04, 2016 in its original, privately printed guise, the elements of style was a 43page summary of, in whites words, the case for cleanliness, accuracy and brevity in the use of english. All through the elements of style one finds evidences of the authors deep sympathy for the reader. 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. Whites inexplicably beloved writing reference book, the. White has judiciously revised the book and has contributed a final chapter that seeks to lead the reader beyond mere correctness toward distinction in english style. The books mantra, make every word tell, is still on point. Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic reference book is a musthave for any student and conscientious writer.
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 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. 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. This edition has been modestly updated, with word processors and air conditioners making their first appearance among whites.
For advice on style, the elements of style is useful. Nov 23, 20 writing down the bones, by natalie goldberg this book was introduced to me about 15 years ago by a magnificent high school. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959. 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. That being said, you can understand most of the rules from context, absorbing it by osmosis. Binaural beats concentration music, focus music, background music for studying, study music greenred productions relaxing music 307 watching live now. Cornell university english professor william strunk jr. The elements of style, revised edition, by william strunk jr. The elements of style is an american english writing style guide in numerous editions.
This book s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to millions of readers. 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. The book was known on the campus in those days as the little book, with the stress on the word little. The elements of style 9781537669649 e b white boeke. 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. 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. 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. The elements of style has been restored to the world of letters because of its tested usefulness in helping people to write effectively and well. May 14, 2012 binaural beats concentration music, focus music, background music for studying, study music greenred productions relaxing music 307 watching live now. What is the best way to read strunk and whites elements of. This is the elements of style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. The elements of style wikisource, the free online library.
Whites expansion and modernization of strunk and tenneys 1935 revised edition yielded the. The present text states the fourth edition of the elements of style 2000, published fiftyfour years after the death of william strunk jr. 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. Tenney later revised it for publication as the elements and practice of composition 1935. The elements of style edition 4 available in hardcover, paperback. Elements of style final doctoral school in management sciences. What is the best way to read strunk and whites elements. 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.
The most important rule of style in strunk and white s elements of style is number, omit needless words. The elements of style, fourth edition kindle edition. Guth, appeared in 1976, his collected essays in 1977, and poems and sketches of. 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. Writing down the bones, by natalie goldberg this book was introduced to me about 15 years ago by a magnificent high school. Every english writer knows strunk and whites the elements of style. 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. Contents preface iii i introductory 1 ii elementary rules of usage 3 1. The elements of style, by william strunka project gutenberg.
Foreword the elements of style has lots of example that i wont always write here. Jan 31, 2015 the elements of style also known as the little book by fellow cornell students is the product of a disciplined mind forged through years of studying rhetoric, form and logic. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. Whites inexplicably beloved writing reference book, the elements of style. Tenney, 1935 by oliver strunk introduction omit needless words. 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. In accordance with this plan it lays down three rules for the use of the comma, instead of. 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. Whites prose is celebrated for its ease and clarity just think of charlottes web but maintaining this standard required endless attention. This is professor strunks advice regarding this rule.
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