The Elements of Style

by Strunk, William; White, E. B.

• ISBN13: 9780205191581
• ISBN10: 0205191584
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

The classic manual for writing is now in its fourth edition. A new Foreword by Roger Angell reminds readers that the advice of Strunk and White is as valuable today as when it was first offered. A new glossary of the grammatical terms used in the book provides a convenient reference for readers.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	xi
I. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE	1	(14)
1. From the possessive singular of nouns by adding's	1	(1)
2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last	2	(1)
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas	2	(3)
4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause	5	(1)
5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma	5	(2)
6. Do not break sentences in two	7	(1)
7. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation	7	(2)
8. Use a dash to set off an abrupt break or interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary	9	(1)
9. The number of the subject determines the number of the verb	9	(2)
10. Use the proper case of pronoun	11	(2)
11. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject	13	(2)
II. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION	15	(19)
12. Choose a suitable design and hold to it	15	(1)
13. Make the paragraph the unit of composition	15	(3)
14. Use the active voice	18	(1)
15. Put statements in positive form	19	(2)
16. Use definite, specific, concrete language	21	(2)
17. Omit needless words	23	(2)
18. Avoid a succession of loose sentences	25	(1)
19. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form	26	(2)
20. Keep related words 'together	28	(3)
21. In summaries, keep to one tense	31	(1)
22. 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)
1. Place yourself in the background	70	(1)
2. Write in a way that comes naturally	70	(1)
3. Work from a suitable design	70	(1)
4. Write with nouns and verbs	71	(1)
5. Revise and rewrite	72	(1)
6. Do not overwrite	72	(1)
7. Do not overstate	72	(1)
8. Avoid the use of qualifiers	73	(1)
9. Do not affect a breezy manner	73	(1)
10. Use orthodox spelling	74	(1)
11. Do not explain too much	75	(1)
12. Do not construct awkward adverbs	75	(1)
13. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking	76	(1)
14. Avoid fancy words	76	(2)
15. Do not use dialect unless your ear is good	78	(1)
16. Be clear	79	(1)
17. Do not inject opinion	80	(1)
18. Use figures of speech sparingly	80	(1)
19. Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity	81	(1)
20. Avoid foreign languages	81	(1)
21. Prefer the standard to the offbeat	81	(6)
INDEX	87