Introduction
The Elements of Style is a classic American English writing style guide. In its original form, it was written by William Strunk Jr. in 1918 and later revised and expanded by E.B. White. The book is often referred to simply as "Strunk & White." It remains one of the most influential and beloved texts on the art of writing, serving as a manual for those who wish to express themselves with clarity and force.
The philosophy of the book is grounded in the belief that clear writing comes from clear thinking. It rejects the ornate and the flowery in favor of the direct and the simple. The text asserts that style is not a garnish added to a finished piece of writing, but rather an intrinsic part of the thought process itself. To write well, one must know what they want to say and say it in the most efficient manner possible.
While language is fluid and constantly evolving, the core principles outlined in this guidebrevity, clarity, and the rejection of the superfluousremain timeless standards for effective communication.
Elementary Rules of Usage
The foundation of good writing lies in the mechanics of grammar and punctuation. These rules are not arbitrary impediments but the necessary architecture that ensures a sentence stands strong.
Form the Possessive Singular of Nouns by Adding 's
Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write:
- Charles's friend
- Burns's poems
- The witch's malice
Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names ending in -es and -is, such as Achilles' and Isis', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake. But do not confuse this with regular plural forms like bosses' or boys'.
In a Series of Three or More Terms with a Single Conjunction, Use a Comma After Each Term Except the Last
This is often referred to as the serial comma or the Oxford comma. It prevents ambiguity.
Red, white, and blue
Omitting the final comma can sometimes suggest a closer connection than actually exists between the last two items.
Enclose Parenthetic Expressions Between Commas
Non-essential elements that interrupt the flow of a sentence should be set off by commas. If the interruption is brief, the commas may be omitted, but the writer must decide whether the pause is necessary for clarity.
The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for time, is to travel on foot.
Place a Comma Before a Conjunction Introducing an Independent Clause
When a sentence is broken into two distinct parts that could stand alone, a comma should precede the conjunction (such as and, but, or, nor, for).
I have finished the report, and I am ready to go home.
Elementary Principles of Composition
Beyond grammar and punctuation, composition concerns how sentences are constructed to form a coherent whole. These principles guide the writer in arranging words to maximize impact.
Choose a Suitable Design and Hold to It
A basic structural design underlies every kind of writing. The writer must decide form before content. Whether it is a narrative, a piece of argumentative writing, or a description, the design must be planned. The first principle of composition is to foresee or determine the shape of what is to come and pursue that shape.
Make the Paragraph the Unit of Composition
The paragraph is the primary unit of discourse. It should serve one specific purposedeveloping a topic, summarizing an argument, or contrasting two views. A long, shapeless paragraph is inviting to neither the reader nor the writer.
Use the Active Voice
The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive. The passive voice is often convenient and sometimes necessary (when the performer of the action is unknown or irrelevant), but the active voice generally creates a stronger sentence.
Active: I shall always remember my first visit to Boston.
Passive: My first visit to Boston will always be remembered by me.
The second sentence is less direct, less bold, and less concise. If the writer tries to make it more concise by omitting "by me," they create a dangling modifier.
Put Statements in Positive Form
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion.
Weak: He was not very often on time.
Strong: He usually came late.
Weak: She did not think that studying Latin was much use.
Strong: She considered the study of Latin useless.
Omit Needless Words
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 his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
- The question as to whether whether
- There is no doubt but that no doubt
- Used for fuel purposes used for fuel
- He is a man who he
A Few Matters of Form
To ensure professional presentation and readability, specific typographical and stylistic conventions should be observed. These "matters of form" distinguish polished writing from the amateurish.
Colloquialisms
Avoid the use of colloquialisms such as don't in place of do not, or can't for cannot in formal writing. While acceptable in dialogue or informal correspondence, contractions often suggest a laxity inappropriate for serious exposition.
Exclamations
Do not attempt to emphasize simple statements by using a mark of exclamation. An exclamation point should not be used to underline a witticism. It is used to denote shock, surprise, or strong emotion, not to tell the reader that something is funny or important.
Hyphens
Use a hyphen when two or more words serve together as a single modifier before a noun. For example: "a first-class ticket" or "a well-known man." However, when the modifier follows the noun, the hyphen is usually omitted: "The ticket was first class."
Quotations
Formal quotations introduced by that are indicated by double quotation marks. Omit the comma. Informal quotations introduced by he said require a comma and the use of double quotation marks. Quotations within a quotation should use single quotation marks.
Words and Expressions Commonly Misused
Precision in vocabulary is the hallmark of a skilled writer. The English language contains many pitfalls where words sound similar but have distinct meanings, or where traditional usage dictates a specific definition that differs from popular slang.
Aggravate, Irritate
The first means "to add to" an already troublesome matter. The second means "to annoy." Heavy rain will aggravate a flood, but it will not irritate it. A driver might irritate another driver.
Allusion, Illusion
An allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is a false appearance. "The book contained an allusion to Greek mythology." "The mirage was an illusion."
Between, Among
When more than two things are being compared, among is usually used. Between is used when comparing two distinct items or entities, even if they are groups. "The money was divided among the three heirs." "The treaty was signed between the two nations."
Factor, Feature
A factor is one of the elements contributing to a result. A feature is a distinctive attribute. Do not use factor to mean merely "element" or " circumstance."
Less, Fewer
Less refers to quantity, fewer to number. "There has been less traffic on the road." "There have been fewer accidents."
An Approach to Style
The final section of the guide deals with the more elusive quality of style. Unlike the ironclad rules of grammar, style cannot be reduced to a list of dos and don'ts. Style is an increment in writing. It is the writers personality expressed in words. However, while style is personal, there are broad guidelines that help a writer cultivate a good style.
Place Yourself in the Background
Draw attention to your subject, not yourself. Write in a way that draws the reader in. Writing is, for most, an expression of self, but to write well, one must suppress the ego. The writer should serve the sentence.
Write in a Way That Comes Naturally
Do not adopt a style that is not your own simply to impress. Use words and phrases that have come naturally to you. Follow the patterns of speech you are used to. If you write naturally, your sincerity will shine through. If you try to be stilted or overly academic, the writing will feel artificial.
Revise and Rewrite
Revising is part of writing. Few writers are so expert that they can produce what they are after on the first try. The perfect sentence is rarely born fully formed. It must be shaped, polished, and refined. Do not be afraid to discard what does not work.
Do Not Overwrite
Rich, ornate prose is hard to digest. The unqualified adjective and the luxurious adverb are often unnecessary. Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills, and meaningless jargon.
Do Not Explain Too Much
It is seldom advisable to tell all. Be sure that the reader knows who is speaking, but do not overexplain with excessive dialogue tags. Trust the reader to understand the context. When a simile or metaphor is used, ensure the connection is obvious without being forced.
In conclusion, mastery of The Elements of Style does not produce a great writer, for greatness in writing requires imagination, originality, and something vital to say. However, this mastery clears the brush, allowing the writer's vision to be seen without obstruction. It provides the discipline required to turn raw thought into polished communication.
