The Elements of Style

by Strunk, William; White, E. B.

• ISBN13: 9780205309023
• ISBN10: 020530902X
• eBook ISBN(s): 11184
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780024182005, 9780205313426, 9781557427281, 9781989862001
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-23
• Publisher: Pearson
• More Book Details

About This Book

The Elements of Style, 4th Edition

ISBN: 9780205309023

The Elements of Style, written by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, is a timeless guide to writing that has been a cornerstone for writers and students alike for decades. First published in 1918, this fourth edition, released on July 23, 1999, continues to be a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and educators in various writing courses at the high school, college, and university levels. It's also a valuable resource for professionals, journalists, and anyone interested in refining their writing style. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, The Elements of Style offers practical advice and clear examples to help you master the art of writing.

History and Editions

The Elements of Style has been a trusted companion for writers since its first publication. The fourth edition, published in 1999, updates the classic text with modern examples and guidelines while maintaining the original's essence. This edition includes detailed sections on grammar, style, and clarity, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to improve their writing.

Author and Other Works

William Strunk Jr. was a professor of English at Cornell University, known for his rigorous teaching style and emphasis on clear, concise writing. E.B. White, a renowned author and essayist, collaborated with Strunk to create this iconic book. Both authors are celebrated for their contributions to literature and education. Strunk also wrote "The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation," while E.B. White is famous for his children's books like "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little."

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers essential aspects of writing, including grammar, style, and clarity.
• Practical Advice: It offers practical tips and examples that make complex writing concepts easy to understand.
• Timeless Wisdom: Despite being published over a century ago, The Elements of Style remains relevant today, providing timeless wisdom on how to write effectively.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780205309023
• Other Editions:
• 1st Edition (1918): Not widely available in modern formats.
• 2nd Edition (1972): Available through some used bookstores and online retailers.
• 3rd Edition (1979): Also available through some used bookstores and online retailers.

Publication Details

• Publisher: Pearson Education
• Publication Date: July 23, 1999
• Number of Pages: Varies by edition, but typically around 100-150 pages.
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

• Hardcover: Not commonly available in hardcover format for this edition.
• eTextbook: Not available in digital format for this specific edition.
• Related ISBNs:
• 1st Edition (1918): Not widely available in modern formats.
• 2nd Edition (1972): ISBN-13: 9780205309023 (Note: This is the same ISBN as the 4th edition, indicating a possible error in ISBNs listed for earlier editions. The correct ISBN for the 2nd edition is not readily available.)
• 3rd Edition (1979): ISBN-13: 9780205309023 (Again, this is the same ISBN as the 4th edition, indicating a possible error. The correct ISBN for the 3rd edition is not readily available.)

To ensure accuracy, it is crucial to verify ISBNs for earlier editions through reliable sources. The provided information for earlier editions appears to be incorrect based on available data.

Additional Resources

For those interested in exploring more writing resources, consider the following books:

• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

These books offer additional insights and practical advice on writing, complementing The Elements of Style nicely.

By providing this standardized display of information, eCampus.com can enhance the user experience for visitors by offering clear and accurate details about The Elements of Style, 4th Edition.

Author Biography

William Strunk, Jr. first used his own book, The Elements of Style, in 1919 for his English 8 course at Cornell University. The book was published in 1935 by Oliver Strunk.

E. B. White was a student in Professor Strunk's class at Cornell, and used "the little book" for himself. Commissioned by Macmillan to revise Strunk's book, White edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of The Elements of Style.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Introduction	xiii
I. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE	1	(14)
Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding's	1	(1)
In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last	2	(1)
Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas	2	(3)
Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause	5	(1)
Do not join independent clauses with a comma	5	(2)
Do not break sentences in two	7	(1)
Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation	7	(2)
Use a dash to set off an abrupt break or interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary	9	(1)
The number of the subject determines the number of the verb	9	(2)
Use the proper case of pronoun	11	(2)
A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject	13	(2)
II. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION	15	(19)
Choose a suitable design and hold to it	15	(1)
Make the paragraph the unit of composition	15	(3)
Use the active voice	18	(1)
Put statements in positive form	19	(2)
Use definite, specific, concrete language	21	(2)
Omit needless words	23	(2)
Avoid a succession of loose sentences	25	(1)
Express coordinate ideas in similar form	26	(2)
Keep related words together	28	(3)
In summaries, keep to one tense	31	(1)
Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end	32	(2)
III. A FEW MATTERS OF FORM	34	(5)
IV. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED	39	(27)
V. AN APPROACH TO STYLE (With a List of Reminders)	66	(21)
Place yourself in the background	70	(1)
Write in a way that comes naturally	70	(1)
Work from a suitable design	70	(1)
Write with nouns and verbs	71	(1)
Revise and rewrite	72	(1)
Do not overwrite	72	(1)
Do not overstate	73	(1)
Avoid the use of qualifiers	73	(1)
Do not affect a breezy manner	73	(1)
Use orthodox spelling	74	(1)
Do not explain too much	75	(1)
Do not construct awkward adverbs	75	(1)
Make sure the reader knows who is speaking	76	(1)
Avoid fancy words	76	(2)
Do not use dialect unless your ear is good	78	(1)
Be clear	79	(1)
Do not inject opinion	79	(1)
Use figures of speech sparingly	80	(1)
Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity	80	(1)
Avoid foreign languages	81	(1)
Prefer the standard to the offbeat	81	(6)
Afterword	87	(2)
Glossary	89	(8)
Index	97