William Strunk et al - The Elements of Style Books

Pros: Small and concise.
Cons: Even after reading some parts many times, it hasn't sunk into this guys skull

...and so he came upon Epinions and started writing. It is something he had never done before. He'll admit to no college education and barely making it through high school English by getting pushed along with 65s and needing a semester in summer school ...

Pros: So much info in such a little book
Cons: Not one!

If you write on a regular basis, Strunk and White’s Elements of Style should already be in your personal library. This is the definitive reference guide for writing and requires multiple readings. It should be kept for reference and frequently ...

Pros: It is the most useful book any writer can own
Cons: None

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 ...

Pros: Makes the world a better place
Cons: Not everybody has Style

Hope is a funny thing. It keeps us going when we might elsewise succumb to the tidal wall of acceptance and mediocrity. It's easy to give-up, hard to push ahead.

Inspiration can be ethereal and fleeting (i.e., what inspired me in the summer...

Pros: Short, easy to read; an excellent guide for writing that can easily apply to speech
Cons: Is not required reading in EVERY school!

The Elements of Style is essentially a guide to style and grammar as they apply to the written word. Many of the principles (or "rules") within can be applied equally as well to the spoken word. I first came across this "little" book (the pith of...

Pros: excellent reference for any writer.
Cons: can be a little dry to read for long periods

I, like many children, became a projection of my mother’s dreams. My mother wanted to be a writer her entire life. Therefore, when I was young and impressionable, she had me convinced that my future career was in journalism. It wasn’t until much later...

Pros: Usage and style, hard and fast in a handy dandy little book.
Cons: May get your internal editor too worked up.

Currently I’m enrolled at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, working my way toward a Masters. What am I required to do? Read books and write a novel. Piece of cake. Heh. Maybe. The Elements of Style is often pointed out by the ...

Pros: Brief; clear discussion; numerous examples; insightful explanations
Cons: Some items require several re-readings to be fully grasped

During two tours of college spread over a decade I bought many textbooks. Some textbooks were needed for my computer science major courses. Some textbooks were needed for those courses each college requires of its students. And some textbooks were for...

Pros: Timeless, Brief, Inexpensive, Widely Available
Cons: Not enough writers know it or use it.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White, is a pamphlet so valuable, I would place its worth ahead of any dictionary. After all, wouldn't you sooner risk misspelling than misspeaking? Think about it: a misspelled word rarely...

Pros: covers the basics clearly
Cons: states rules without explaining the reasons for them

The authors' basic guideline in writing this book is one they offer their readers: "Omit needless words!" Working on that basis, they constructed a short, useful handbook. It isn't complete, and doesn't claim to be: it's a good set of basic...

Pros: Easy to read. Great reference section on word dichotomies. More!
Cons: (None)

I was introduced to The Elements of Style some 30 years ago. Not long after that I began writing for publication. These are not necessarily related events, but the fact that my writing style improved vastly after reading the book is directly related to...

Pros: It's short, concise, clear, and cheap.
Cons: None.

This is the greatest book on Earth, perhaps the world, on how to write well. The Elements of Style is short, clear, concise, cheap, and a quick read. It gives you a look into the basic rules, tips on writing, commonly screw-up words, and it weighs less...

Pros: The best usage book in the world
Cons: If you use it, it wears out

I began using this book when I was in the eighth grade, and I have used it ever since. That's about 30+ years. This little book has never failed me. And if I ever forget about certain usage, I turn to Strunk and White. Come on, fess up.......is it...

Pros: Easy to read; well written
Cons: None

ELEMENTS OF STYLE is a classic book that should be in everyone's library. It is a literary marvel. This thin book has more valuable information than books several times its size. ELEMENTS OF STYLE should be read by students, writing professionals,...

Pros: Small enough to fit in your pocket
Cons: Somewhat technical for the uninitiated

If you only buy one reference, this is it. Essential, indispensable, still in common use after more than forty years in print - it doesn't get more straightforward, simple, and concise. My personal favorite? "Omit needless words."

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