Strunk and White were indeed genuine masters of style.

I simply cannot conceive of any better writing teachers than the two of them. Their work is not merely an incredibly useful tool for improving one's writing skills.

Rather, it is also a truly delightful read that engages and captivates the reader.

I make it a point to re-read their works every 1 - 2 years.

This allows me to continuously soak in their wisdom and insights, and to apply them to my own writing.

Each time I read, I discover something new and valuable, and I am reminded of the importance of clarity, simplicity, and elegance in writing.

Strunk and White's teachings have had a profound impact on my writing, and I am grateful to have discovered their work.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about improving their writing skills.

“It is an old observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric,” says professor Strunk. The old fart was probably referring to his students at Cornell University. The Elements of Style is indeed a dusty textbook (1918), but still widely in use today. It aims at providing a set of rules and tips on how to write properly, if not elegantly. Stephen King, in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, strongly recommends this book to any aspiring fiction writer.

In truth, such rules as, for instance, the pre-eminence of the active over the passive voice, or the superiority of the positive over the negative mode in a sentence (which, at the time, were perhaps not as evident), have become the sesame of communication, advocated at school, in business and even in spelling and grammar software. These rules help to make the writing more clear, direct and engaging. They also ensure that the message is conveyed effectively and accurately.

Some of Strunk’s remarks are amusing, sarcastic even, like this one on the use of the word Nature: “Often vaguely used in such expressions as “a lover of nature;” “poems about nature.” Unless more specific statements follow, the reader cannot tell whether the poems have to do with natural scenery, rural life, the sunset, the untracked wilderness, or the habits of squirrels.” This shows that Strunk was not only a stickler for the rules but also had a sense of humor.

While this hodgepodge of rules is at best a bit arbitrary and, at worst, quite outdated, the core of it all is to prompt students to write boldly, confidently, legibly, with crispness and vigour, and avoid fizzling out with sloppy writing — nothing wrong about that. After all, good writing is about expressing oneself clearly and effectively, and these rules can serve as a useful guide to achieving that goal.

Yes, it is outdated in parts.

And yes, a lot can be said about the inadequacy of iron-clad grammar rules.

Still, writing clearly and concisely is just as important as it is challenging, and we do need help.

English is not my first language, so I am particularly receptive to assistance with tricky grammar rules, punctuation and false cognates.

I think the book is as useful as a grammar book can be and that it gets extra points for being short and to the point.

Don't take it too seriously and you will be fine.

In today's fast-paced world, the importance of clear and concise writing cannot be overemphasized. While some may argue that certain grammar rules are outdated or too rigid, the fact remains that proper grammar, punctuation, and the correct use of words are essential for effective communication. For non-native speakers of English like myself, these aspects can be particularly challenging. That's why I find grammar books to be extremely useful. They provide valuable guidance and explanations that help us improve our writing skills. The book I'm referring to is no exception. It covers all the essential grammar rules in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. What's more, it also includes practical examples and exercises that allow readers to apply what they've learned. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their English writing skills.

I currently reside in the same abode as a die-hard Steven Pinker enthusiast. The consequence of this is that whenever I attempt to open this book, I am bombarded with explanations about its purported internal inconsistencies.

However, this book isn't truly about the appearance of "proper" English, is it? Despite its attempts to convince you otherwise. Instead, it's about how to blend in within a particular writing-intensive milieu. This book is like the elaborate silver service table manners of literature, as arbitrary, historically influenced, and culturally specific as that description implies. If you desire to sit at that literary table, at least for the first time, you must be acquainted with it. The remainder of the time, you can simply stash it in a corner and utilize it as an occasional means to smugly win an argument.

Then again, if you happen to live with a Pinker devotee, perhaps not.

Stephen King highly recommends it.

It is straightforward, presenting clear and simple guidelines that are strict and unforgiving.

One has to truly respect those individuals who can actually adhere to the dos and don'ts it provides.

This is an essential resource for all aspiring writers.

It offers valuable insights and practical advice that can help them hone their writing skills and develop a disciplined approach to their craft.

Whether it's about plot construction, character development, or the proper use of language, this recommended material covers all the bases.

Aspiring writers would do well to study it carefully and apply its teachings to their own work.

By following its guidelines, they can increase their chances of producing high-quality writing that stands out in a competitive field.

So, if you're an aspiring writer looking to take your writing to the next level, this is definitely something you should check out.

All writing is communication; creative writing is communication through revelation — it is the Self escaping into the open. No writer long remains incognito.

To review, the book is an amazingly curated edition that has scored well in the attempt of presenting vital things in a concise and clear manner.

And, here are some of my prime takeaways from the book.

First, unnecessary emphasis of a sentence is never the demand. We should let the words speak for themselves. Second, the word “but” when trailed after doubt or help turns needless. It often disrupts the flow. Third, data is and always were data. We need to use the correct form. Fourth, avoid however at the start of a sentence. They tend to fit better when placed in between for a smoother transition. Fifth, the habit of adding the suffix -ize into a noun in order to create a verb is responsible for making one ignorant regarding the already present words. Sixth, “One of the” is a feeble writing formula. Cut it and find a precise orientation. Seventh, facts require no advance billing. Just present them clearly. Eighth, do not be tempted by a fancy word when there is already a handy word. Ninth, the best spelling is the one that is regarded as orthodox today. Tenth, writing style matters as it is what overpowers emotions into the words. Finally, revise & rewrite, but do not overwrite.

I am absolutely glad to have read this book. It has taught me so many valuable lessons about writing. I will definitely apply these tips in my future writing endeavors.

What is the greatest virtue of an article? Clarity. The language of literature must be independent. It should be infused with various kinds of independence. The writer wants his creations to be unique among the ten he writes. But how many people write literature? How many write novels, short stories, and poems? Most of us write descriptions. Some write personal descriptions. Some write purposeful descriptions. The Internet has expanded this desire of ours to write descriptions in all directions. This article that I am writing now is also a description. It is not literature. Until a few years ago, there was no such opportunity.

In my country, Bangladesh, there is an unprecedented movement going on at this moment. I have not seen such a fierce movement since my father was born. The powerful government of the country is brutally killing the voiceless students, ordinary people. The Prime Minister of the country, Sheikh Hasina, is oppressing the people of the country. A cruel oppression. The people of this region of the subcontinent have been oppressed since ancient times. Under British rule, the peasants and common people fell into the hands of the zamindars and became extremely miserable. Then came the Pakistani rule. Even then, the people of this region faced humiliation. Even after the country became independent, there is no peace. This country has never been able to remain peaceful for a long time.

Although almost half of the 21st century has passed, the people of Bangladesh have not received the minimum human rights from the state. For so long, a "mannequin" of democracy was kept standing in name only. Under the impact of this movement, the skeleton of that puppet has come out. Sadly, my own country has contributed a lot to keeping this puppet standing. I know there are some political reasons behind it, and there are the interests of my country. But as an ordinary Bengali, I don't like to see the plight of another ordinary Bengali in this country. I want to fight against the shield of politics.

The leadership of this mass movement is being given by the students of Islami University. These young boys and girls had seen almost nothing of life just a few days ago. But now they have seen a lot! How many people have been killed so far? Whatever the media reports, I suspect the number has exceeded 500. There is no way to call Sheikh Hasina's government a democratic government anymore. This government is a murderous government. They are not even fascists. Fascism also has a political ideology. They don't have that either. In plain Bengali, the Awami League government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina is a genocidal, violent, heartless, rowdy, power-hungry, and blindly arrogant government. There is even doubt in calling them a "government" in the guise of democracy. They are killers. Pathological killers.

The country has to be saved from the hands of these crazy killers. Day by day, students, ordinary unarmed and helpless people, are sacrificing their lives. They are dying every day! They are dying by bullets, by the impact of weapons, due to lack of medical care, and in police custody. So many people are being seriously injured. Some may become blind like Salajuddin. Some will survive as handicapped. Someone's brother has been killed, someone's sister, someone's child, someone's parent, someone's lover, someone's beloved, someone's dear friend. The deaths of these people cannot be tolerated at all. If I don't find a way to do something in memory of them, then I can at least write some descriptions. I know that descriptions are not literature. But the power of words is infinite. Writing in clear and simple language, composed of a few simple sentences, the power of a description is great! And the power of many descriptions is—limitless!

Apart from Goodreads, I have no other place to write. So I wrote my description here. Although I am writing this description thinking of writing a book review, the review is not completely like that. I have been helped in many ways by this book to learn how to express the words of my heart clearly in writing. Although the purpose of the book is to teach the rules of writing in English, many of the rules of this book can be applied to the work of writing in any language. I give a few examples.

First of all, the most important rule is to say. Do not write complex sentences while writing a description. Do not increase the length of the sentence. Write in short and simple sentences. For example: Sheikh Hasina does not have the eligibility to sit in the chair of the Prime Minister of the country.

Use familiar words. Do not use unnecessary difficult words to prove yourself as a pundit. For example: I know I also have a fear of death, but if I sit quietly out of fear today, then I will have to live my whole life as a coward (notice that there is not a single difficult word in this sentence, yet your opinion has been clearly expressed).

There are various trained processes for literary creation. Similes are used in literature. Metaphors are used. Ornaments are used. Contradictions are used. There are many more such methods to make the creation rich in literary qualities. But in these difficult times, it is better to leave out these methods from your own description. Rather, if you write in a completely simple language, in a plain style, the description will be much more powerful. For example: I have tolerated a lot. The fall of this corrupt government is extremely necessary this time. They are killing people without justice. Still, they are not repentant. How can I believe them anymore? Impossible!

Rather than quoting a line from a famous writer or poet or literary figure, it is better to write the words of your own heart in your own language. If you repeatedly use the lines of Navarun Bhattacharya's poems, both the sharpness and the height of the deathbed of that line will decrease. In these difficult times, if you stand on the shoulders of someone else's written poems, it proves that you do not have the courage to write in your own language. Or you are showing your back. You will have many opportunities to show your literary taste in the future if you survive. It may even happen that tomorrow your own brother will be shot. Or your dearest friend. Or your father? Mother? Wife? Child? The one with whom you don't like to talk for a while, right? The one who makes your whole day bright when he looks at you and smiles, right? Even tomorrow, you yourself may become a shooting star, suddenly hit by a bullet. If you die, you won't be able to write at all. You won't be waiting for the description of a popular celebrity or a best-selling literary figure. Everyone has their own business, let them be as they wish. In these difficult days, write the words of your own heart yourself. For example:

How many more bullets will you fire, Sheikh Hasina? Just as you could not keep your father in power like Pakistan, you will not be able to keep me in power either. This time it will be either you or me. I can no longer tolerate this cruel drama of yours and your associates. All the limits of my tolerance have now been crossed. Do you understand the matter?

To understand how to express the thoughts of one's heart in simple language and clear style in written sentences, this book is really great! Those who have not been able to write the necessary things in clear language even in the difficult times of the country, when the situation changes, after moving the important landmarks of thought to the side, they should read this book first. Because the weight of clear words is very important!

I should most definitely list this on my erotica shelf. You see, in the world of literature, there are various elements that can have a profound impact on a reader. And for me, if there is anything that makes me shiver with a strange kind of excitement, it’s grammar. The precise usage of words, the correct placement of punctuation, and the proper construction of sentences can create a sense of order and beauty that is truly captivating. It’s like a hidden art form that adds a layer of sophistication and allure to any piece of writing. Whether it’s a steamy romance novel or a thought-provoking work of erotica, grammar has the power to enhance the reading experience and make it all the more enjoyable.

Dated and Obsolete.

Readers seeking a style manual, a usage or grammar guide have numerous better options than Strunk and White. When I first started using this book in the late 1980s, it was extremely helpful for my college papers and later for my early work writing. However, now, thirty years later, rereading it is like looking at the computer I used back then. It is obsolete in many aspects and insufficient for today's tasks.

The English language is constantly evolving, influenced by its countless speakers and writers. What was correct thirty years ago may not hold true today. I understand the argument that grammar doesn't change, only people's incorrect usage. But consider Shakespeare's line in As You Like It: "I cannot go no further." It wasn't idiomatic. When grammarians declared double negation wrong, a prominent linguist of the time argued that the English language was weakened as a result. That was a long time ago, but changes are happening all the time. As the Millennial generation leaves its mark on the language, they will surely make some alterations of their own.

As writers and speakers of the language, we require a style and usage manual that ensures we are current. Strunk and White's Elements of Style fails to meet this need. Moreover, as we become more and more sophisticated (think about the powerful computers we now carry in our hands), we need a style and usage manual that is also more advanced. I'm sorry to say, a comprehensive manual on the English language won't fit in your pocket.

If you're in search of a great style and usage manual, check out anything written by Bryan Garner.

No doubt I've made some grammar or style errors in this review. I'm not perfect, but my style and usage manual by Bryan Garner is.

I didn't really acquire anything truly novel (since most of this counsel I had already learned in my occupations anyhow), but I was astonished to discover myself relishing this book.

It was rejuvenating to witness so much excellent advice presented concisely together in a convenient handbook. And considering it's a brief book, it contains a plethora of sardonic humor. Five stars, because for what it endeavors to accomplish, it does splendidly.

The fourth chapter can become rather dull, being merely a list of common errors. But every so often a bit of snark would emerge and make me smile.

Some of my favorites...

"FACT: Employ this word solely for matters capable of direct verification, not for matters of judgment. That a specific event occurred on a given date or that lead melts at a certain temperature are facts. But such conclusions as that Napoleon was the greatest of modern generals or that the climate of California is delightful, however defensible they might be, are not appropriately termed facts."

"FLAMMABLE: An oddity, mainly useful in saving lives. The common word signifying 'combustible' is inflammable. But some individuals are misled by the in- and believe inflammable means 'not combustible.' For this reason, trucks transporting gasoline or explosives are now labeled FLAMMABLE. Unless you are operating such a truck and thus are concerned with the safety of children and illiterates, use inflammable.”

If having a penchant for this book makes me a "Grammar Nazi" then so be it. I will offer no apologies for my love of, and desire to preserve, the quality of the English language.

I first came across "Strunk & White" during my freshman year of university. It was presented as an optional textbook for a half-class on reading. I purchased it at that time, but I don't believe I ever managed to get beyond the first two or three "rules of elementary usage". Since I attended a French-language grade school, I never had a formal education in English grammar. As a result, any discussion of gerunds, clauses, conjunctions, and the like causes my mind to go blank.

Today, upon a casual perusal, I realize that it can be beneficial to anyone who writes, whether for business or pleasure. Some of the rules and complaints about specific words may be outdated. However, if you are interested in writing clearly and energetically, this tiny handbook is well worth looking through for tips and pitfalls that you might be susceptible to. I often have a tendency towards using the passive voice, being unnecessarily wordy, and misusing semi-colons. Now, I feel more prepared to watch out for these issues.

I believe that "Strunk & White" can serve as a useful reference tool for improving one's writing skills. It provides valuable insights and guidelines that can help writers avoid common mistakes and enhance the overall quality of their work. Although some of the content may be a bit dated, the fundamental principles of good writing still hold true. By familiarizing myself with these rules and being more conscious of my writing habits, I hope to become a better writer in the future.

A nice revision of the dos and don'ts of writing has been presented. It is straightforward to the point and highly focused on syntax and grammar. This aspect is indeed very beneficial for those who are looking to improve their writing skills in a more formal and structured way.

However, as other reviewers have accurately pointed out, this book is clearly geared towards essay writing rather than creative writing. While it provides valuable guidelines and principles for constructing well-written essays, it may not be as applicable or useful for those engaged in creative writing endeavors. For example, creative writing often allows for more flexibility and experimentation with language, structure, and style, which may not be emphasized in the same way in this book.

Therefore, it is important to use the content of this book appropriately, depending on one's writing goals and needs. If you are primarily interested in improving your essay writing skills, then this book can be a great resource. However, if you are more inclined towards creative writing, you may need to supplement the information in this book with other resources that specifically address the unique challenges and opportunities of creative writing.