The Elements of Style

by William Strunk

Hardcover, 78 pages

English language

Published Dec. 14, 1975 by Macmillan Company.

(54 reviews)

Making ‘every word tell’ is what The Elements of Style is all about. This famous manual, now in a fourth edition, has conveyed the principles of plain English style to millions of readers. It is probably the only style manual ever to appear on the best seller lists.

Whether you write letters, term papers, or novels, the ‘little book’, as it has come to be called, can help you communicate more effectively. It will show you how to cut deadwood out of your sentences; enliven your prose with the active voice; put statements in a positive form; approach style by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity.

The original ‘little’ book was written by William Strunk, Jr., late professor of English at Cornell, for use by his students. Years later, one of the most illustrious of those students, E.B. White, prepared an edition of the book for the general public, revising the original and contributing a final chapter of his own that sought to lead the reader beyond mere correctness toward distinction in English style.

Now E. B. White has revised the "little" book again, adding to the word list, supplying new examples and generally bringing the text up to date. Readers who have treasured the previous edition will find this revision a worthy and timely face-lift. Those who are not already acquainted with the "little" book have an enviable experience before them.

--jacket

145 editions

Zéro Janvier reviewed The Elements of Style by William Strunk

Review of 'The Elements of Style' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Ce livre est particulièrement court, moins de 100 pages, et est souvent cité comme une référence par les écrivains anglo-saxons, qu'ils soient amateurs ou professionnels.

J'ai trouvé sa lecture plutôt intéressante et instructive, même si une partie des leçons ne s'applique qu'à la langue anglaise. Il y a cependant de nombreux éléments intéressants pour tous, quelle que soit la langue dans laquelle nous écrivons.

Je n'irai donc pas jusqu’à dire qu'il s'agit une référence indispensable, à moins d'écrire principalement en anglais, mais c'est tout de même un livre instructif avec quelques règles et conseils qu'il peut être bon de rappeler.