The Elements of Style, 4th ed.
by William Strunk Jr., Elwyn Brooks White, Charles Osgood
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Allyn & Bacon: 1979. Paperback: 105 pages. ISBN-10: 0-20-530902-X Suggested retail price: $5.95 (US) Tactical strength: [7/10] |
Anyone who has taken more than one English class will recognize many of Strunk and White's style rules. Each rule includes a least one and sometimes several examples which provide some of the clearest demonstrations of good and bad style. Many writers still practice these rules today, but some rules fall short when applied to conventional modern usage. For example, one rule states that writers can use he as a universal, singular pronoun meaning any single person. In modern usage burdened with political correctness, such a usage would quickly receive the label "sexist" and, in fact, has quickly fallen out of practice. Since one cannot easily determine the status of Strunk and White's rules, I recommend using a more modern reference like The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., or any other modern style as an everyday reference guide before looking here.
The Elements of Style still has its uses. Writers can use it as a quick refresher on many points of style, grammar, and usage. Chapter 5, "An Approach to Style" reminds writers to always consider their audience and to use good, clear writing techniques. Reading Strunk and White frequently will help keep your mind on track -- subconsciously alerting you to possible problems in your writing. Just be sure you know enough modern usage to be able to discern how much weight to give each rule.
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