I started to get down to the book based on personal recommendation. My professor told me that this book is a must-read and will help us go down to the same path he did. I wanna break the norm that scientists can't write well.
This awesome book was originally written by Willim Strunk Jr, in the hope of helping his students to write well in his class. To his great surprise, one of his students, E.B. White followsuit the clear-cut, lucid, easy-to-read guidlines and transcended the pocket book into a writing bible that's sold millions of copies to this day.

The author provided lucid dos and donts , each with the correct and flawed demonstration.
Classic misused phrases include: per se, -wise, in terms of, interestingly, the fact that to name a few.
He also gave tips on properly using punctuations and where to watch out for.

In the last chapter, he got straight to the point to provide tips for emerging writers and journalists:

1. avoid overstatement
2. familiarity with the use of language will help us form our own style, so just follow the flow
3. there are no infallible, definite guidelines to abide by
4. use spelling check
5. avoid foreign language and colloquial expression
6. dont overexplain things
7. the use of fancy words or trying to be flashy, showy doesn't make you smarter
8. write in a coherent, consistent manner

I had a great time digesting the wisdom within the book with pleasure and euphoria. I hope ya'll can find it helpful, and one day can all write like Strunk and White!

I was thinking about starting an editing business out of my home, so I purchased this with that in mind. Well, I never did get around to editing, but I still read and re-read this book -- many times. In fact, both my adult children bought copies for themselves. One was in college at the time, the other just enjoyed the book enough to want a copy for herself.

This is a great book that would make a fantastic gift for a high-schooler, or someone in college, as well as the linguist in your life.

My copy is now dogeared, and very much worn. It is time I bought another copy for myself.

I bought this book as one of the textbooks for a class. It is a pocket size book, and as an international graduate student I find it very useful, specially because English is not my mother language and I have to write many papers for different classes and scientific articles.

With all of the great reviews posted about The Elements of Style, it is a difficult to add anything that hasn't been said before. The Elements of a Style is a great book that will help improve your writing - regardless of how well you write at present. This book is one that writers will want to keep handy.

One of the few drawbacks of The Elements is that it may make people self conscious about all of the mistakes that they have been making in their writing. A bigger problem, as many reviewers have pointed out, is that some of the advice is dated because it is based on the way Americans spoke and wrote in the past.

I recommend The Elements of Style.

If you want to know how to write, read this book and keep it handy.

This is not the best edition of the book. It seemed to be a more accurate representation of the original writing but The Elements of Style 4th Edition is a better educational book.

The Elements of Style (4th Edition)

Book arrived in the condition I ordered but did arrive the very last day within amazons acceptable delivery time.

This book is to writing and the English language in the same way that a golf swing is to hitting the golf ball. If you have to remember everything that you are supposed to do with your swing, you will become a golf statue for the entire (cross-out--entire) winter.

Reading "The Elements of Style" can also intimidate you from ever touching the keyboard. You might up end up staring at the screen feeling overwhelmed afraid that you are using, "the truth is...." when you know that you are giving yourself advance billing, which is bad, or is it--that is bad? Just writing this is making me feel nauseous. No, wait! I think it's (notice the apostraphe?) making me feel nauseated.

Why just yesterday I learned the differences between lesser and fewer, continuous and continual, affect and effect, and among and between. I learned that the difference among would have been incorrect. But the real winner was knowing that the present tense of lie is lay in the past tense even though laid sounds better, but laid is the past tense of lay, not lie or lain. (Shhheeeeeeeeeeeeeez)!

You will learn to avoid misplaced modifiers such as: "Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating." You will also learn that "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens drops the indefinite article in the possessive: Dicken's "Tale of Two Cities." Learning where to put the quotation marks within a quotation and the punctuation at the end of a sentence will give you goosebumps.

This book is so helpful it should be on everyone's desk for the rest of his or her life (instead of their lives--plural and incorrect). I will make a concerted (no, scratch concerted--unnecessary word) effort to get my workplace to drop utilize, and/or, and semi-colons used as commas. Don't know if you should use whom or who? Remember that who goes with he, she, they, and whom goes with him, her, and them. All you have to do is answer the question: Whom/who did you call? I called he? No. I called him. So, whom is correct. Who called or whom called? Him called? No. He called; it's who. (Who is also on first)! Note: the punctuation goes outside the parenthesis.

The thrust (no, erase thrust) POINT of what I am saying (no, get rid of "of what I am saying") the point IS that this is the most valuable tool you can have, next to the dictionary, and it is also portable.

You will have FEWER problems with your English, if you buy this book.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated purchase. (Of course, I wasn't supposed to write that)!




I promise Sts. Strunk and White to use fewer commas for the rest of my life. Kinda!

I know what you're thinking; a grammar book, Ebony? Yes, a grammar book. The Elements of Style is the best book I read in 2009 for one reason: it changed the way I approach writing.

Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity - it's that simple. Say what you mean to say without all the thrills and frills and people will love you for it. This was a revelation to me. When I was in high school, I loved using big, ten dollar words in my essays; I garnered the praises and accolades of my teachers and the envy of my peers. Then I went to college and took a few English classes to see what they knew and WHAM!

My ego was officially deflated during my freshman year. I was told by a very dear English professor that my writing was convoluted. "Explicate, explicate, explicate," she would write in the margins of my papers.

I wish I had a copy of Elements of Style back then. If only William Stunk Jr. and E.B. White were there to hold my hand and whisper in my ear, "Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. 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." Sheer brilliance.

This book is filled with so many pearls of writing wisdom: do not break sentences in two; use the active voice; place yourself in the background. Chapter four, "Words and Expressions Commonly Misused," is a breath of fresh air for any writer who is serious about her craft.

I can go on and on about this book. As Reading Rainbow's LeVar Burton would say, "You don't have to take my word for it."

This reference, thouh neary a century old, still wears well and is a must have item for anyoyne interensted in effective composition.

This is not the Elements of Style 4th edition in paperback. Its a condensed version of it and should not be a paperback choice of the original hardcover. Will be returning it!

I ordered the July 2009 paperback edition (it has a quill on the front) because it was cheaper than the others. BEWARE- it is not the same as the others! It has only half of the information that the others have... it's only Strunk without the White. If you want the real version make sure it says that it's by Strunk AND White.

Highly recommend this book, it is a classic and I use it all the time as a reference.

This edition of the Elements of Style does NOT include the material by E.B. White! For some incomprehensible reason, the publishers have stripped all of White's excellent observations, tips, and essay material out of the book.

I grew up with Strunk & White. I used it as a college teacher and tutor. I used it for decades as a professional writer. When my copy was destroyed in a fire, I sought to replace it and was entirely too careless: I simply looked for the same title ("The Elements of Style") and clicked to order it.

I would award Strunk & White five stars. Without White's material, The Elements of Style is a two-star book. This weak-tea version of "Elements" is merely adequate. If you really want insight into style, purchase Stunk & WHITE. I was careless; I want to alert other purchasers before they make the same error.

I was told about this textbook some time ago.Because its revised edition dated from 1935 with following editions in 1959 and 1972 I became intrigued about the quality of this book.Finally after having tried other textbooks for the same purpouse of learning the language and following recommendation from my daughter who teaches English as a second language in Colombia,South America I purchased a copy.I am delighted with this book and I will get more copies for my grandchildren now in school.It will make a perfect Xmas present and a valuable addition to their studies.

Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" is a wonderful book, and it is great for learning grammar, in that it is witty and demonstrates the rules of grammatical and compositional style in a way comprehensible to human beings. It has great examples and is able to show students what to do by telling them what *not* to do! It is easy to carry around, and is so concise, that you should be able to read it in two hours, at the most. If you talk or communicate in any way, this book will most certainly be useful for you!

This edition of Waking Lion Press is full of errors and poorly laid out.

The "little book" was recommended to me when I was a freshman in college, and I have recommended it to many, many college students whom I have taught. It is still apt and entertaining. This copy is a very nice one. Buy it - even though you are not a student and all you write is email!

Haven't actually had to use this for class yet, but it came on time and in great condition.

The book is in very good condition and received within the amount of days told.

This book should be the first addition to any writer's reference library. Yes, I believe it is that good and important. Get it, read it, study it, follow its rules and guidelines, and keep it within arms reach of your writing desk at all times. I believe you will be forever grateful to have followed my recommendation. In the world of computers and word processing software, you can do global searches for almost every rule and guideline contained in this book. It may be tedious, but I believe the results are well worth it.

Love it, written so even the elementary writers can understand it. Well worth it. I keep it in my purse.

Amazingly short book on writing, which is often quoted and used as one of THE authorities in literary craft. I was intimidated by how often literary critics cited it, but it is short and an easy read.

I was surprised at how fast I received this book. The book was everything described. Very interesting, very short and reasonably easy to understand. I selected the book's seller based upon the positive feedback purchasers had given. I now see why that seller rates so high. Great Service and a very good, reasonably priced and short book.

This isn't for beginners, and advanced writers will want much more - But nothing packs more useful info into one tiny book. It's basically a list (with examples) of all the common pitfalls in the English language.

It has been over a month since my order and I have still not recieved my book.You-Amazon just refer me tosome obscure bookseller to chase down my purchase.I will make sure my credit card company does not pay you anything.How is that for a review?

Though this book was written many decades ago (co-author E.B. White also wrote Charlot's Web,) the information contained within is timeless. It is small and easily read, yet provides a great foundation for ANYONE who needs to write (High School, College, Business, etc.) A true Must-Have, Must-Read book.

I was disappointed because I ordered this from one of the used book sellers and they did not include a receipt in the package. It was for my daughter who is in prison in Gatesville, TX and is taking college courses. Because there was no receipt they would not let her have it--prisoners are not allowed packages from individuals, but can receive them if they are from book sellers or publishers directly. So I paid for it and it was just what she needed, but she did not receive it since no receipt or shipping form. anything you can do to help me out?
Thanks, Sandee Montignani

I like the book. The book so small, it look like the pocket. U can bring to somewhere and read when u have free time. The book will help u so much for writing and fix some mistakes in the letter. I think u will enjoy the book.

A very clear, concise, and informative book. It isn't written to teach grammar, but to fine-tune writing. Strunk has a definite opinion on stylistic matters and he presents this throughout the work, using examples to illustrate his points. White mentions in the preface that he tries to loyally adhere to this style. Although there are things that one might disagree with, Strunk's advice is always worth remembering.

For someone who doesn't have an excellent grasp on writing, this has been a valuable guide. I expect that even the professional writer would benefit from incorporating Strunk's advice into his writing.

Very worthwhile.

This is an admirable book, if you want to write like the authors; it is a good book as far as it goes, but does it go far enough? Well, you will find salutary advice to resuscitate your prose, but if you want to be a fine craftsman--that is, if you don't want to beget base prose, you mustn't hang with Trunk and White for too long.

The Elements of Style provides incredible insight into English expression while using simple terms and instructions.

When I started college at the age of 50, this little book went with me--and stayed with me--until I graduated from Smith College 13 years later, as an Ada Comstock Scholar. Now, I plan to give this little book to each of my 4 grandkids, as part of a college survival package from their "mimi".

But after this article by Geoffrey K. Pullum, the head of linguistics and English language at the University of Edinburgh and co-author (with Rodney Huddleston) of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Cambridge University Press, 2002) I feel vindicated.

http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i32/32b01501.htm

Probably, you need english to be your native language to see the true value of this book. I recommend to read this book, but it is not a handbook. For writing scientific articles you still need other style guides.

Really great for reference. Only wish more example usages would be provided in some cases; although that would add a few pounds to its slim figure.

the condition of the book was good and the size is great because is so small that you can put it anywere. The examples are good for learning how to write sentences.

I find this is an excellent reference book on writing. Strunk builds on the principles which White first introduced and offers the reader a pseudo primer on the syntax of english language and structure. I purchased this book after my instructor stressed "I pick up a copy". You'll find the book easy to read and incorporate into everyday use. I strongly recommend it!

Of late, I have noticed an epidemic of misplaced apostrophes. I've seen them in emails, advertisements, just...everywhere. For example, I received an email from someone yesterday who wanted me to know of his availability on "Wednesday's." Wednesday doesn't own anything. The man's sentence made no sense! This kind of thing drives me crazy, especially when it comes from someone who clearly should know better.

Look, I'm anal about grammar. I should be - I make my living by the written word. I'm no grammatical saint either. I make my share of mistakes. That's why we (collectively, writers everywhere) have this book. I think it should be required reading in high school or college. There are so many educated people who have a hard time forming a proper sentence, and this need not be the case.

This book is a great resource, as many have noted. I think everyone should have a copy, especially those who need to work on their punctuation or some other aspect of their writing. I include myself in this category.

I have always had a problem with being too wordy. This book was very useful. If only I knew about this book during university!

This is the first time I used this genre. The local book store was out of this particular book and my class was starting in a week. This book arrived well before the start of class and in new condition. I would certainly recommend this seller to anyone.....very prompt, and professional.

This has been a long-standing guide for writing. This book was recommended during the current writing class.

English is my second language, but I have used it a lot in many different ways; school, university, informal e-mailing, chatting, journalism. I can't believe I haven't read this book before now.

A friend of mine at school showed it to me once but I forgot all about it. But when I was in New York during the Christmas holiday I met a guy with a guitar at Bar East on 90th and 1st who said, "If you write in English, there's one book you need to have: The Elements of Style." So I went home and bought it right away.

I read the book from front to back in a few days and loved it. Strunk's direct, yet caring and humouristic style made me smile and think at the same time. I felt a certain bond to this man, and he lived a hundred years ago!

I recommend this book to all people who write. Letters, articles, surveys, essays, term papers, books, comics, scripts, whatever.

This has been my favorite and most trusted reference for more years than I care to admit. My paperback copy was falling apart, held together by rubberbands. This book is timeless, the best, and I'm glad to have another sturdier copy which will last me the rest of my career.

This book will do more for your writing than any other book. It concentrates on clear, precise communication. It uses the techniques it promotes and is extremely easy to read. If you are a writer this book is essential to help you edit your own work.

10. You may never need to read another book on writing -- ever.

9. Elements of Style will help you bring an end to common writing errors.

8. Strunk and White will make your writing more resonant and more powerful.

7. Elements teaches not only the fundamentals but also advanced,
creative flourishes.

6. It's cheap.

5. The book is short; Eighty-Five pages makes it easy to read and re-read.

4. Strunk and White will teach you to write and think clearly and concisely.

3. Elements of Style will make you a better speaker.

2. It will also make you a better writer. Duh.

1. The Elements of Style can be applied to all writing, everywhere.

Put the principles laid out in this slim book to use, and you will write better than ninety-nine percent of college educated Americans. Anyone reading your writing will thank you for it.

If everyone read this book before afflicting us with their writing, the world would be a better place.

Definitive.

The book sold on this page is NOT the 4th Edition of Strunk and White's Elements of Style. Nor is the "Look Inside" link correct. This is a public domain version of what appears to be Strunk's orginal book. The typography is not as described in the text. Comparative references to text in the "right column" and "left column" refer in this book to text in upper and lower paragraphs. Don't buy this book. Instead by the fourth edition by Longman Publishers.

Strunk and White, Elements of Style has an excellent reputation as a classic in the field of basic grammar and composition. However, I found that the tone and composition of the book lends itself to an audience of insiders,' those who are already well-versed in the basic principles. It is not of much use in teaching those who are confused or need more clarity on the subject. Furthermore, the tone of the book is rather haughty and elitist, which was a turn-off for me. As someone with a strong English background, I can use the book and learn from it. But I would not recommend it to a student of the language.