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The Elements of Style
Tue Feb 9 21:25:44 GMT 2010
William Strunk's book on style is almost the epitome of its own central thesis: communicate clearly, aim to be exact, and use only as many words as necessary. In the latter he certainly succeeds -- even with subsequent overhaul and expansion by E.B. White, and the addition of two forewords, this little book is slim enough to lose down the back of the sofa.
Yet its diminutive stature belies the value of the advice contained within. Strunk's original canon of a set rules for composition coupled with a list of misused words and phrases is valuable on its own; when combined with White's short essay on the wider topic of writing style it is not only instructive but also inspiring. If you're interested in writing, and in writing well, this book is well worth your time and money.