The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition 
asked by advisor on November 28, 2006 3:50 PM
Composition teachers throughout the English-speaking world have been pushing this book on their students since it was first published in 1957. Co-author White later revised it, and it remains the most compact and lucid handbook we have for matters of basic principles of composition, grammar, word usage and misusage, and writing style.
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I was handed a copy of the 80-year old classic, "Elements of Style," as a young man over twenty-five years ago as part of my orientation package when I started college. I recently read it again as a refresher and I suddenly realized what a timeless classic it is. Of all the books I've read about grammar and writing this is the one to which I refer over and over again.
It's a tiny little book; almost a pamphlet. But world renowned authors swear by it. You will too. The meat of the book is compacted down into three simple groups of "rules." They consist of eleven "Elementary Rules of Usage," eleven "Elementary Rules of Composition," and eleven "Matters of Form." I'm not sure if there's some cosmic meaning behind the number "eleven," but I couldn't ask for a more concise, to-the-point set of principles to guide me as I write my prose.
The feature I like best about this book is how easy it makes grammatical research. No heavy tombs to thumb through trying to find an obscure rule of grammar. No need to hop back and forth between computer screens to search for a phrase. Just a quick little reference guide that easily fits in my shirt pocket that stands ready to come to my aide on a moments notice. This book is the most important contribution to literary arts since pen and paper.
Anyone who is serious about improving the quality of his or her writing must own this handy little book.
It's a tiny little book; almost a pamphlet. But world renowned authors swear by it. You will too. The meat of the book is compacted down into three simple groups of "rules." They consist of eleven "Elementary Rules of Usage," eleven "Elementary Rules of Composition," and eleven "Matters of Form." I'm not sure if there's some cosmic meaning behind the number "eleven," but I couldn't ask for a more concise, to-the-point set of principles to guide me as I write my prose.
The feature I like best about this book is how easy it makes grammatical research. No heavy tombs to thumb through trying to find an obscure rule of grammar. No need to hop back and forth between computer screens to search for a phrase. Just a quick little reference guide that easily fits in my shirt pocket that stands ready to come to my aide on a moments notice. This book is the most important contribution to literary arts since pen and paper.
Anyone who is serious about improving the quality of his or her writing must own this handy little book.
reviewed by gilbert on November 28, 2006 11:52 PM
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William Strunk's first publication of The Elements Of Style was in use at Cornell University in 1919. It was published in the New Yorker in 1957. It has been republished in a variety of forms, including editions with E.B. White.
Why has this book survived almost a century? The answer is simple. This is the best book on composition. You need no other. There are paperback, hardback and pdf file versions. The original is available online at bartleby dot come. However you choose to acquire this book, just do it.
Why has this book survived almost a century? The answer is simple. This is the best book on composition. You need no other. There are paperback, hardback and pdf file versions. The original is available online at bartleby dot come. However you choose to acquire this book, just do it.
reviewed by gilbert on November 29, 2006 5:32 AM
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This book will improve your English every time your read it. It is the kind of working book writers like to keep nearby. The only comment I have is that it is "too black". Adding colors and quick reference index tabs would greatly improve the readability.
reviewed by corral on November 29, 2006 6:09 PM
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I have thumbed through this book's pages many times. It is beautiful in its brevity and offers useful advice.
reviewed by dignified1 on November 29, 2006 6:46 PM
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I am a fedgling fiction writer. I was never the greatest student of grammar while attending school, but at times I find this reference guide indespensible. It is well worth the price.
reviewed by bigben on November 29, 2006 7:18 PM