GMBB - A Great Book for a Great Author!
Written: Oct 28 '02 (Updated Feb 20 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It is the most useful book any writer can own
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: A book every writer must have!
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| eskimo101's Full Review: William Strunk et al - The Elements of Style Books |
When I heard about a Write-Off honoring the 80th birthday of my favorite Epinionator, I was so excited, I jumped in with both feet and agreed to be a part of it with no hesitation. Granniemose is more than just a fellow member of our little cyber universe; in many ways, she is its center. I don’t say this lightly - there are many proven writers amongst our members’ ranks, and I mean no disrespect to them or there accomplishments. However, our dear Virginia is set apart from the other talents in many ways, not the least of which include her warmth and humor, her honesty and integrity, and her humble gift of friendship. Her wonderful reviews and pieces of poignant short fiction are the very essence of what this site should be. Virginia, I dedicate this review to you, and I thank you for making my time here extremely enjoyable.
A very small book, The Elements of Style can fit in a jacket pocket. That is not a reason to buy this book. However, if you check your pocket (go ahead, I’ll wait)… and you find that there is no copy there, you should go out directly and remedy that. Should you want to know why, I’ll tell you…
Everyone who writes should have some desire to do it well, whether the content be a lengthy novel or a short letter. To write is to partake in the creation of something wholly your own, a piece of art no less dramatic than oil colors on a canvass.
If you disagree with the last paragraph, you can stop reading; this review will not serve you well. The Elements of Style is a learning tool. Written by William Strunk, Jr., an English Professor at Cornell in the early part of the twentieth century, the small book served as a textbook in his classes. Its chapters cover rules of grammar, construction of text, matters of form, misused language, and a general guideline for creating one’s personal style.
Sounds exciting, huh? Well, I have read it cover to cover several times, and in my opinion, The Elements of Style is the most important reference book a writer can possess. Whether you are a young writer (the book’s initial audience) or a successfully published author, this book should be on your nearest shelf, or more appropriately, in your jacket pocket.
I will break down my reasons quickly, for fear that I write my review longer than the manuscript in question.
Starting with the end, as is my custom, I find the fifth (and final) chapter of the book to be the most interesting. This section offers advice on myriad topics. I’ll list some of the highlights:
1. Place yourself in the background
Here, the authors remind a writer to concentrate on writing well instead of creating style. Style is born of dedication to good writing, not by inflecting mood or temper.
2. Write in a way that comes naturally
A writer should use words that he is comfortable with, phases that he fully understands.
4. Write with nouns and verbs
Use nouns and verbs to convey a story. To rely on adjectives and adverbs is to write poorly. A quote from this section: “The adjective hasn’t been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place.” This is not to say that adjectives and adverbs do not have their place, instead it is to point out that they are not savory outside of their use. Many young or inexperienced writers try so hard to impress by using flowery, overstated modifiers that they fail to capture the power of the language. Inappropriate use of adjectives and adverbs kill the mood of even the most interesting ideas.
5. Revise and rewrite
Simply stated, check your work a few times before signing off on it.
6. Do not overwrite
Much like #4, this rule can spare a writer’s audience the anguish that comes from overstated, inflated, self-serving drivel. A writer must fight past the urge to infuse his work with flighty fringe and empty boxes painted with glitter.
8. Avoid using qualifiers
Also related in a way to rule #4, this rule warns the writer to work harder at his craft. Don’t say ‘very tired’ when you can say ‘exhausted.’ Or, simply ‘tired.’ In my hometown, we determine extremity by using the word ‘really.’ If one wishes to convey a point, adding ‘really’ to the mix somehow extinguishes any doubt. ‘The game was great’ has little emotion in my little part of the world, but ‘The game was REALLY great’ tells the entire story. It may be cute for this anecdote, but using qualifiers will really ruin your work.
11. Do not explain too much
Another very helpful piece of advice. One of my favorite books is A Clockwork Orange. In it, Anthony Burgess creates a slang language based on Russian words and his imagination. That may be an extreme example, but the meaning is similar; one shouldn’t spell everything out. That’s not to say that a writer should intentionally mislead the reader, or write in a manner that is difficult to understand. Instead, one should utilize what is available to convey a scene.
As Epinions member Mothermeatloaf would point out, it is better to write: “He walked into the café and wiped the moisture from his forehead, hoping for a glass of water” than “It was hot. The man walked through the stifling, sweltering sunlight into the shady salvation of a lifesaving café. He hoped that they would serve water to quench his immense thirst.” Quite a difference between the two, yet many young writers have a need to spell out as much as they can.
21. Prefer the standard to the offbeat
This last rule is an important rule to follow and an important rule to understand. It is more or less a call to professionalism. If you are writing, show the reader that you are serious in your endeavor. Don’t use poor grammar, trendy slang, or off-color language when you could more effectively work harder and present a better product. Just because it is “cool” to use the word ‘cool,’ don’t do it. It will inevitably expose you as a bad writer, which is what this book strives to steer you away from.
Those points, and the others that I have omitted, are concrete laws for a serious writer. They are presented clearly and concisely, and if followed, will make a substantial difference in your work. Though this book was written some Eighty-plus years ago, these rules are every bit as valuable as they were when Professor Strunk first put them together. (Seems that a lot of good came along about 80 years ago.)
Speaking of old Strunk, I should mention that there is a co-author of The Elements of Style. E.B. White, of Charlotte’s Web fame, also had a hand in this book. But they didn’t write it together. White was in one of Strunk’s classes, a student with great aptitude and a desire to learn. White decided, some forty years after receiving his first copy, to update the tiny textbook and market it to the public. Had he not done so, this excellent reference book would have likely been lost to the world.
White updated it again in 1972. But these updates are not as important as the crux of the text. This little book delivers what White himself describes as “rich deposits of gold.”
In the opening chapters, The Elements of Style examines the proper uses of grammar. This section is written in a manner easily read, not so boring as to cause one to toss it on a shelf and forget about it. One of the interesting tidbits included is how to show possession. This sounds like a simple thing that doesn't need to be addressed, but how do you know if the dog belonging to Mr. Jones is Mr. Jones dog, Mr. Jones’s dog, or Mr. Jones’ dog? Buy the book – you may be surprised with the answer. The uses of parentheses are also discussed, as is the correct placement of commas. There are pages of useful information. Colons, semicolons, hyphens, exclamation points, and participle phrases are all explained. The necessity of this book has transcended generations, and as long as the written word survives, this wonderful work will have a revered place in education.
I can go on and on about The Elephants of Style, but as you can see, I’ll get silly. Instead, I’ll recommend it to every member of our Epinions family, every visitor to this site who has an active interest in writing, and to anyone who can appreciate the value of solid advice. By learning to write properly, one develops a unique style that elevates him to a professional rank. This book is the perfect tool to carry along that road.
The rest of this review has little to do with Strunk and White’s masterpiece.
I am so proud to have been asked by Artbyjude, Virginia’s daughter, to contribute to this write-off. Granniemose has had a profound impact on Epinions, and more specifically, on me. She is a wonderful writer of genuine reviews and heartwarming short stories, and a dedicated reader of others’ work - she never fails to compliment fellow members when a particular review catches her off-guard or touches her in warm way.
Virginia, Thank you for making Epinions a better place. I hope that your birthday is warm and wonderful. Eighty is a fine start! But just remember, I’ll expect you to write something nice for MY 80th!
- Eskimo
PS - I have been away from the site for a short while, and, to those of you who read my work and whose work I enjoy, I thank you for understanding. I had back surgery recently and I’m still recovering. The results appear good thus far, so I’m hoping to be completely up and about in no time. I will be back in full force soon.
* Please take the time to celebrate Granniemose's birthday and read the offerings of these fine Epinionators who are joining in the Granniemose Birthday Bash!
29th_Candidate, 2buzy, 4 rhodes, AdaDavis, Ahlstromomy, annecal, annexation, Arielssong, artbyjude, BadkittyM, Brendametcalf,CANS4US,coldsteel7, dedemw, diverpam, dragonfire88, ed-grover, erinys, flamepillar, garym, gaelkm, ginzo, grandgram, Gungian, hempem, Horswispr, Ifif1938, Jakai, jankp, jeff_wilder78, JenB123, jetbluefan1, jo.com, KatM, kevlog, Klueger, lark729_89, LEDOMAINE, lemon_lime, Lisa_J, lorace, lynus, maggsmom, mind-full, Mom2TyZick, mothermeatloaf, mr_calcul8r, mshawpyle, MumMumMum, nolefan1942, officer, Petra, Pogomom, Psychovant, remnjava, repulsemonkey, reviewer12, Roxiemarie, Simply_Crispy, skbreese, Smithswoodside, sumo_rhino, SurgRN911, SusiDee34, Suzer, Sweetsue_98, Thorbjore, tombarnes, Vemartin, Vormancian, Weirdo_87, James23, nanct
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
eskimo101
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Member: Mike Lynsky
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 66 members
About Me:
Welcome back, Peter... Things are looking up!
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