E.B. White's "The Elements of Style," first published in 1959, is a classic guide to writing that has been widely used by writers, editors, and students for more than half a century. The book is based on the original "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr., which was first published in 1918. Strunk's original version was a short guide to good writing that he used to teach his students at Cornell University. White revised and expanded Strunk's original work, and it is this revised version that has become so popular.
William Strunk Jr. was a professor of English at Cornell University, and he wrote "The Elements of Style" to help his students improve their writing skills. Strunk believed that good writing was based on clear, concise, and straightforward language, and he emphasized the importance of using simple and direct language whenever possible. He also believed that writers should aim for brevity and avoid using unnecessary words or phrases.
One of the most famous passages from "The Elements of Style" is Strunk's emphasis on the importance of using concrete and specific language. He wrote: "Use definite, specific, concrete language. Avoid vague, indefinite, abstract words." Strunk believed that writers should strive to use concrete and specific language to make their writing more vivid and engaging for the reader.
Another key aspect of Strunk's writing style is his emphasis on the importance of simplicity and clarity. He wrote: "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." Strunk believed that writers should aim to be as concise as possible in their writing, and that they should strive to eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases.
In addition to emphasizing simplicity and clarity, Strunk also stressed the importance of using active voice in writing. He wrote: "Use the active voice. The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive... With the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action; with the passive voice, the subject is acted upon." Strunk believed that the active voice made writing more engaging and energetic, and he encouraged writers to use it whenever possible.
In conclusion, William Strunk Jr.'s "The Elements of Style" is a classic guide to good writing that has been widely used by writers, editors, and students for more than half a century. Strunk's emphasis on simplicity, clarity, and the use of concrete and specific language has influenced the way that many people write, and his advice is still relevant and useful today.
