Sep 07, 2012 strunk and whites the elements of style is less than 100 pages long in most editions and was first published in 1959, but even today its influence is broad and deep in american writing. 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 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. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. John mcwhorter on strunk and whites the elements of style. The elements of style oliver strunk contents foreword ix introduction xiii i. 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. 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. In 1957 the style guide reached the attention of e. 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. Every english writer knows strunk and whites the elements of style. 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. Strunk and whites elements of style pdf even though useful, strunk and whites elements of style pdf for mac seems to be more aimed at users who simply forget about emptying their trash. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines.
This public document was automatically mirrored from pdfy. Jul 31, 2001 this is the elements of style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. 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 active voice. This book s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to millions of readers. Tenney, 1935 by oliver strunk introduction omit needless words.
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. The elements of style wikisource, the free online library. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last. White wrote this introduction for the 1979 edition. White was a student in professor strunks class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. The elements of style was originally written by william strunk to aid his students. 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. 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. Oct 31, 2017 its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. The elements of style edition 4 by william strunk, e. All through the elements of style one finds evidences of the authors deep sympathy for the reader.
It originally detailed eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, a few matters of form, and a list of. Its time to permanently shelve the elements of style. The most important rule of style in strunk and white s elements of style is number, omit needless words. The most important rule of style in strunk and whites elements of style is number, omit needless words. Since then it has become a classic reference enjoying its fiftieth anniversary and is always amongst the first grammar books recommended to new writers. Thus write, charless friend burnss poems the witchs malice this is the usage of the united states government printing office and of the oxford. The elements of style teaches you that simple is always better. The book was one necessary step for me to become a better writer. Jan 30, 2018 the elements of style by william strunk jr. This is also the usage of the government printing office and of the oxford university press. The elements of style is the definitive text and classic manual on the principles of english language read by millions of readers. 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. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain english style.
Strunk and whites elements of style pdf get the torrents. 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. A new york times story published in the 50th anniversary year of elements of style reported that about 10 million copies have been sold. The elements of style edition 4 available in hardcover, paperback. Strunk and whites the elements of style deals only with style in the narrow sense. Many people already know that in 1957, white received from a friend a 43page version of elements, which william strunk jr. Every englishlanguage writer knows strunk and whites famous little writing manual, the elements of style. This books unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to millions of readers. They can also exclude certain files, folders, and extensions to prevent the program from scanning them, as well as prioritize certain. This edition has been modestly updated, with word processors and air conditioners making their first appearance among whites. It gives advice on grammar, word choice, appropriate use of different syntactical constructions and similar topics.
Tenney later revised it for publication as the elements and practice of composition 1935. It contains eight rules of usage, ten rules of composition, some notes on miscellaneous matters of form in writing such as headings, numerals, and quotations, and lists of. The book was known on the campus in those days as the little book, with the stress on the word little. I already own strunk and whites the elements of style.
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. The elements of style, fourth edition english edition ebook. You can find this edition in its entirety on the internet. This is the elements of style, the classic style manual.
Been writing professionally for 20 years, and i still use this book occasionally. 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. Now i have three different versions of the elements to include a copy of the original. The elements of style classic edition, 2017 william strunk jr. This part of the book is concerned with attitudes in writing, with mr. 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. Oct 18, 2009 many people already know that in 1957, white received from a friend a 43page version of elements, which william strunk jr.
The elements of style illustrated by william strunk, e. Every englishlanguage writer knows strunk and white s famous little writing manual, the elements of style. But small enough to give the impression that it wouldnt cover enough territory to be worth buying. 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 elements of style, revised edition, by william strunk jr. 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. This is professor strunk s advice regarding this rule. I started with a book about the elements of style and how it came about.
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. 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. Jun 30, 2016 even though useful, strunk and whites elements of style pdf for mac seems to be more aimed at users who simply forget about emptying their trash. 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. 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. It is one of the most influential and bestknown prescriptive treatments of english grammar and usage in the united states. The elements of style by william strunk free ebook. The original elements of style was a textbook written by william strunk jr. Whites inexplicably beloved writing reference book, the elements of style.
That being said, you can understand most of the rules from context, absorbing it by osmosis. They can also exclude certain files, folders, and extensions to prevent the program from scanning them, as well as prioritize certain locations for scanning, such as the downloads folder. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunk s book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of the elements of style. The elements of style manages to condense all the important rules of grammar into a package so small, you could mistake it for a drink coaster. 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. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The elements of style, by william strunka project gutenberg. It is relevant, easy to use, and has reimproved my writing which had gotten lazy over the years.
Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic reference book is a musthave for any student and conscientious writer. It is the bestknown, most influential prescriptive treatment of english grammar and usage, and often is required reading and usage in u. Strunk and whites the elements of style is less than 100 pages long in most editions and was first published in 1959, but. It aims at providing a set of rules and tips on how to write properly, if not elegantly. 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. The elements of style is indeed a dusty textbook 1918, but still widely in use today. This is the elements of style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. This publisher specialises in public domain classics. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by showing you how to enliven your sentences. 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. Cornell university english professor william strunk jr.
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