Mention the names Strunk & White to any college student and s/he will no doubt have read “The Elements of Style,” their famous book, in an English Lit or writing course. I bought a copy of the Fiftieth Anniversary edition, published this year, because I could no longer find the one I owned in college.
The book is continuously in print and offers writing tips that are as relevant today as they were when first written. With all the bad writing saved for posterity in blogs and Twitter posts, I thought it would be refreshing to review several of their maxims in the section of the book entitled “Elementary Principles of Composition.”
Use the Active Voice. The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive.
Bad: My first visit to Boston will always be remembered by me.
Good: I shall always remember my first trip to Boston.
Put statements in positive form. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language.
Bad: He was not very often on time.
Good: He usually came late.
Bad: The Taming of the Shrew is rather weak in spots. Shakespeare does not portray Katharine as a very admirable character, nor does Bianca remain long in memory as an important character in Shakespeare’s works.
Good: The women in The Taming of the Shrew are unattractive. Katharine is disagreeable. Bianca insignificant.
Use definite, specific, concrete language. Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.
Bad: A period of unfavorable weather set in.
Good: It rained every day for a week.
Bad: He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.
Good: He grinned as he pocketed the coin.
Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences.
Bad: The question as to whether
Good: Whether
Bad: There is no doubt but that
Good: No doubt (doubtless)
Bad: The reason why is that
Good: Because
Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end. The proper place in the sentence for the word or group of words that the writer desires to make most prominent is usually the end.
Bad: This steel is principally used for making razors, because of its hardness.
Good: Because of its hardness, this steel is used principally for making razors.
I could go on and on (the authors would no doubt correct me, to eliminate “and on”) but I will leave you with the advice to buy a copy of the book for many more gems about writing. You can buy the anniversary issue for $13.57 on Amazon, or the original edition in paperback for only $2.99. A very worthwhile investment in the best-selling book about writing ever published.
Hi Jeannette,
Great information and reminders! As a writer myself, it always helps to hear other writers opinions, advice, tips and tricks. The book you speak of is one I don’t have, that will be on my to-do list for sure!
Thanks for great information and sharing your knowledge. By the way, do you happen to know of any good free or low-cost writing tutorials? I am always seeking guidance and instructions and want to always stay on top of things. Thanks again dear and enjoy your evening!
Deb