Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not. First written by professor will strunk as a summation of english usage, composition, and form with words and expressions commonly misused, and later polished, expanded and transformed into a classic reference book thirtyeight years later by strunks student, e. White was a student in professor strunks class at cornell, and used the small volume himself, during which time he became respectful and appreciative of its pithy and. It aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain english style. White wrote this introduction for the 1979 edition. Strunk and whites the elements of style daily writing tips. Aug 07, 2018 he is best known for this book the elements of style, which was revised and enlarged by a former student of his, e. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of the elements of. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the.
This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need. Many references have been made in this book to the reader, who has been much in the news. It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach town before. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of the elements of style. Mark garvey relates the history of the book in stylized. Fifty years of acclaim for the elements of style, by william strunk jr. White, the elements of style does indeed contain rich deposits of gold. The elements of style by william strunk free ebook. This book is intended for use in english courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature. The elements of style william strunk, william oliver. A concise, free and complete summary of the elements of style william strunks short, prescriptive classic, filled with good advice on great.
William strunk was an american professor of english language at cornell university. Strunk, and the concluding chapter, an approach to style, a broader. How simple they look, set down here in whites last chapter. Foreword the elements of style has lots of example that i wont always write here. Some very important lessons for the aspiring writer. 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. This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain english style. 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.
My first visit to boston will always be remembered by. The elements of style, fourth edition book summary. The best way to use it is to read through it and find the examples where you cant immediately tell what is wrong, study the explanations, and then apply those learnings to your own writing. Someone who is building her own coaching business asked my adviceopinion about the elements of style and in addition to giving it rave kudos, i found your good summary and sent it to her. Aug 18, 2011 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Wordplay i make your own avatars and clip art blog archive. Like a single overstatement, wherever or however it occurs, diminishes the whole, and a carefree superlative has the power to destroy, for the reader, the object of the writers enthusiasm. The book was one necessary step for me to become a better writer. White i first read elements of style during the summer before i went off to exeter, and i still direct my students at harvard to their definition about the difference between that and which. Initially starting as a beware of these grammar rule set, the book moves into a more philosophical look at the composition of words and how elusive true writing style can be, and how to build your own style following some key, structural rules. The article led macmillan publishers to ask white to revise strunks original book for general publication.
This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the elements of style by william strunk jr in his classic reference book the elements of style 1920, william strunk jr. The only style manual to ever appear on a bestseller list now refreshed by one of our most beloved illustratorsevery english writer knows strunk and whites the elements of style. Maira kalman, who provided the illustrations for the elements of style illustrated 2005, see below, asked nico muhly to compose a cantata based on the book. White of charlottes web fame was a student in strunks cornell university english class at the time, so he had to read the elements of style along with the rest of his classmates. But whichever tense is used in the summary, a past tense in indirect discourse or in. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Cornell university professor of english william strunk, jr. This first published edition of the elements of style came out in 1959 and credited strunk and white as coauthors. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. The elements of style, book by william strunk paperback. Commissioned by macmillan to revise strunks book, white edited the 1959 and 1972 editions.
Highlights from the elements of style william strunk jr. White greatly enlarged and revised the book for publication by macmillan in. These elements of style quotes come from tanq faster to masters growing central library of thoughts, anecdotes, notes, and quotes. When your books and teachers dont make sense, we do.
After graduating, he promptly forgot about the book. 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 a machine no unnecessary parts. White the classic writing style guide this book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain english style. Stringent, strict editing of tiny unnecessary words give birth to style. You can find this edition in its entirety on the internet. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the elements of style by william strunk jr in his classic reference book the elements of style. 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. A summary of the elements of style by strunk and white. The original elements of style was a textbook written by william strunk jr. 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. White was a student in professor strunks class at cornell, and used the little book for himself. 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 commonly misused and misspelled words.
About bruce a web programmer by day, i somehow still spend a lot of time thinking about relationships, god, and the significance of grace and love in daily events. The elements of style, by william strunka project gutenberg. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention in chapters ii and iii on a few. The public domain edition was published in 1918, and is half the length of recent editions. To supplement his other additions and revisions, white added a fifth chapter, an approach to style. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The elements of style william strunk, william oliver strunk.
The elements of style teaches you that simple is always better. In 2011, time magazine listed the writing styleguide as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in english since 1923. No 23 the elements of style by william strunk and eb white 1959 dorothy parker and stephen king have both urged aspiring writers towards this crisp guide to. This book s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to. Introductory this book is intended for use in english courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature. Time magazine named it one of the 100 best and most influential books written in english since 1923. Strunk and whites the elements of style receives frequent mention in articles about writing. The elements of style is an american english writing style guide in numerous editions. Learn more about the subject youre studying with these related sparknotes. This book s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of english style to millions of readers.
He is best known for this book the elements of style, which was revised and enlarged by a former student of his, e. 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. This is the classic style guide for writers of all sorts. George mclane wood, extracts from the style book of the government printing office united states geological survey. It is one of the bestknown and most influential prescriptive treatment of english grammar and usage, and often is required reading in u. In their distinctive witty style, strunk and white advocate for clear, concise, and accurate english. This publisher specialises in public domain classics. The elements of style edition 4 by william strunk, e. 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.
If the summary is in the present tense, antecedent action should be. In 2011, time magazine listed the writing style guide as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in english since 1923. This is a good reference book on the elements of academic writing. This is the elements of style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. The elements of style is the definitive text and classic manual on the principles of english language read by millions of readers. The elements of style illustrated by william strunk, e.
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