For over a century, a slim volume has served as the definitive guide for writers seeking clarity, precision, and style. The Elements of Style, originally penned by Cornell University professor William Strunk Jr. in 1918 and later revised and expanded by his student, the celebrated author E.B. White, remains an indispensable tool. Its enduring wisdom cuts through the noise of fleeting trends, offering foundational principles for anyone who puts words to paper.

I. Elementary Rules of Usage: The Foundation

  1. "Make every word tell." - This is arguably the most famous and central tenet of the book, a powerful directive against superfluous language.
  2. "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." - The full articulation of the principle of conciseness, comparing writing to engineering and art.
  3. "Omit needless words." - A more direct and actionable version of "Make every word tell," this is the core of Strunk's philosophy on clear writing.
  4. "Use the active voice." - Strunk and White champion the active voice for its directness and vigor, making writing more forceful and clear.
  5. "Put statements in positive form." - It's better to state what is rather than what is not. Write "He was often late" instead of "He was not always on time."
  6. "Keep related words together." - This rule emphasizes the importance of clear syntax to avoid confusion. The position of a word in a sentence is critical to its meaning.
  7. "In summaries, keep to one tense." - A simple rule to ensure consistency and clarity when recounting events.
  8. "Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end." - The final position in a sentence is the most prominent; use it to highlight the most important information.

II. Elementary Principles of Composition: Building the Structure

  1. "Choose a suitable design and hold to it." - Before writing, have a plan. A clear structure is essential for a coherent piece of work.
  2. "Use the active voice." (Repeated for emphasis as a principle of composition) - This rule is so fundamental it appears in multiple sections, highlighting its importance not just for word choice but for the overall energy of a piece.
  3. "Put statements in positive form." (Repeated for emphasis) - This applies to the overall tone and structure, not just individual sentences.
  4. "Omit needless words." (Repeated for emphasis) - The guiding principle for sentence structure and paragraph construction.
  5. "Avoid a succession of loose sentences." - Varying sentence structure is key to engaging and sophisticated prose.
  6. "Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form." - This is the principle of parallel construction, which lends clarity, rhythm, and elegance to writing.
  7. "Keep related words together." (Repeated for emphasis) - Crucial for building logical and easy-to-follow paragraphs.
  8. "In summaries, keep to one tense." (Repeated for emphasis) - A vital principle for maintaining coherence in composition.
  9. "Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end." (Repeated for emphasis) - This structural choice can dramatically alter the impact of a paragraph.

III. A Few Matters of Form: The Mechanics

  1. "Do not break sentences in two." - A caution against the common error of using a period where a comma or semicolon is needed (creating a sentence fragment).
  2. "Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation." - A clear and specific guideline for the proper use of the colon.
  3. "The proper way to use a semicolon is to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in thought." - This clarifies the often-misunderstood role of the semicolon.
  4. "Do not join independent clauses with a comma." - A warning against the comma splice, one of the most frequent grammatical errors.
  5. "Do not use periods for commas." - Another way of stating the rule against sentence fragments.

IV. Words and Expressions Commonly Misused

  1. "The word hopefully should be used to mean 'in a hopeful manner,' not as a substitute for 'it is to be hoped.'"- A classic prescriptivist rule that, while debated today, reflects the authors' emphasis on precision.
  2. "Many a festive rhyme is marred by the use of like for as." - A firm stance on the distinction between the preposition like and the conjunction as.
  3. "The word nauseous means 'nauseating' or 'sickening.' If you feel sick, you are nauseated." - An example of the book's focus on etymological correctness.
  4. "Do not use contact as a verb." - Another famous, though now largely archaic, proscription that shows the book's conservative approach to language.
  5. "Flaunt means 'to show off'; flout means 'to mock' or 'show contempt for.'" - One of many clarifications of commonly confused words that are invaluable to a writer.
  6. "Less refers to quantity, fewer to number." - "Fewer ingredients, less sugar." A simple rule that brings immediate clarity.
  7. "Comprise literally means 'to embrace.' A zoo comprises mammals, reptiles, and birds (because it embraces them)." - A precise definition to avoid the common error of saying "is comprised of."

V. An Approach to Style (from E.B. White's Chapter)

  1. "To achieve style, begin by affecting none." - White's brilliant advice to prioritize clarity and substance over artificial flourish.
  2. "The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity." - This quote encapsulates the core philosophy of the book.
  3. "Place yourself in the background." - Write in a way that draws attention to the subject matter, not to the writer's personality or skill.
  4. "Write in a way that comes naturally." - Authenticity in voice is key. Don't adopt a style that feels foreign or forced.
  5. "Write with nouns and verbs." - The strongest writing relies on the power of strong, specific nouns and active, vigorous verbs, not on a profusion of adjectives and adverbs.
  6. "Do not overwrite." - Trust the reader to understand. Over-explaining or using too many modifiers can weaken your prose.
  7. "Do not overstate." - A great writer does not need to use superlatives; the power of the statement should come from its substance.
  8. "Avoid the use of qualifiers. Rather, very, little, pretty—these are the leeches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words." - A vivid and memorable warning against words that dilute meaning.
  9. "Avoid fancy words." - Use simple, direct language. Don't use a complex word where a simple one will do. "Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able."
  10. "Be clear." - For White, clarity was paramount. If the meaning is not clear, the writing has failed, no matter how elegant it may seem.
  11. "Clarity, clarity, clarity." - The three most important rules, according to E.B. White.
  12. "The reader is in serious trouble most of the time, a man floundering in a swamp, and it is the duty of anyone trying to write English to drain this swamp quickly." - A wonderful metaphor for the writer's duty to the reader.
  13. "Revising is part of writing." - White emphasized that the first draft is only the beginning. Good writing is born from meticulous revision.
  14. "Do not explain too much." - Let the dialogue and action carry the meaning.
  15. "Use orthodox spelling." - Don't distract the reader with unconventional or "creative" spellings. The goal is clear communication, not distraction.
  16. "The ear is the best writer." - Read your prose aloud to catch awkward phrasing and clumsy rhythms.
  17. "Do not inject opinion." - Unless you are writing an opinion piece, let the facts speak for themselves.
  18. "Use figures of speech sparingly." - Metaphors and similes are powerful, but they lose their impact if overused.
  19. "Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity." - Avoid jargon and abbreviations that might confuse the reader.
  20. "Prefer the standard to the offbeat." - While innovation is valuable, the fundamentals of standard English are the most reliable tools for communication.
  21. "Style is the writer, and therefore what a man is, rather than what he knows, will at last determine his style."- Ultimately, White believed that an individual's unique character and perspective are the true sources of a distinctive style.