The Elements of Style

Fryson · Feb 12, 2010

Has anyone here read this book? I've been trying to find some books on writing and I keep seeing this book being recommended. But it seems like it gets a fair amount of criticism. I guess every good book does but I was wondering what people here think about it?

Also, do you have any recommendations for other books about the craft of writing? I'm mostly into genre fiction writing and I bought the Gotham Workshop book but it claims to be mostly about literary fiction and I don't know if that matters much or not. I've heard a lot of people recommend Stephen King's book so I plan to get that one. Anything you guys find particularly helpful?

Libbie · Feb 12, 2010

Elements of Style is great, but recognize that even E. B. White didn't really take the advice he dishes out in Elements.

I like the book Spunk & Bite by Arthur Plotnik (best writer name ever) as a nice "other side of the coin" companion read to Elements.

RJK · Feb 13, 2010

Welcome to AW. Elements of style is a very popular book. Most of us have it on our desks, but its scope is limited. You should probably browse the 800 section of your university library, or search Barnes & Noble for this type book and read the description.

If I were to recommend one book, I'd say The first Five Pages, by Noah Lukeman.

stephenf · Feb 13, 2010

There are hundreds of book out there,some good some bad .Personally I would not spend too much time reading books on writing.Trawl the Internet , you can find everything you need and more.The most useful things about writing can written on just a few pages but take a lifetime to learn. Have a look at http://Grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar www.sfwa.org/2005/01/mistakes-in-writing

Dawnstorm · Feb 13, 2010

You can find my opinion on Elements of Style here. As a summary: I think it's overrated.

Lady Ice · Feb 13, 2010

Fryson said:
Has anyone here read this book? I've been trying to find some books on writing and I keep seeing this book being recommended. But it seems like it gets a fair amount of criticism. I guess every good book does but I was wondering what people here think about it?

Also, do you have any recommendations for other books about the craft of writing? I'm mostly into genre fiction writing and I bought the Gotham Workshop book but it claims to be mostly about literary fiction and I don't know if that matters much or not. I've heard a lot of people recommend Stephen King's book so I plan to get that one. Anything you guys find particularly helpful?

Find a book you like and read essays on it. Once it's broken down, you can see how the writer carefully constructed it.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 13, 2010

It's the best style book out there, bar none. You simply can't go wrong using it, and while E. B. White didn't follow every rule, he never, ever broke one without a sound and solid reason behind the breaking, and this is true of every rule in every stylebook out there.

It's called "The Writer's Bible" for a reason. It's simple, it contains every last rule you'll ever need as a writer, it doesn't contradictict itself like many stylebooks, and doesn't get wishy-washy like Chicago.

Buy it and use it. You'll never go wrong. And what it calls passive is passive, even if it doesn't fit the modern definition. It's plain bad writing.

Just don't use the online version, which is NOT the same book.

fadeaccompli · Feb 13, 2010

It's an excellent book for beginning writers who are struggling to form clear, accurate, lean prose. There's a reason it's been recommended so often and so long. It's especially good for writing things like college-level academic essays, where clarity is more important than authorial voice.

It's a lousy book for those who would use it like holy scripture instead of ignoring its often overly-broad advice as needed. There's a reason it's been criticized so often and railed against so much. It's especially bad for moderately skilled writers of fiction who should be developing their own voice, but keep following its broad guidelines as if they're absolute rules.

MJWare · Feb 13, 2010

My local secondhand store always has 3 or 4 good condition copies. Might save some $$$ that way.

You might consider "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell, and Don't forget Uncle Jim's thread right on these boards.

Aschenbach · Feb 13, 2010

Strunk & White is pitched at a pretty basic level. For example;

"The position of the words in a sentence is the principal means of showing their relationship. Confusion and ambiguity result when words are badly placed."

It's sound advice, for sure. But still...kind of obvious. I would say that anyone who got good grades for their high school essays probably doesn't need S&W.

The best writing book I have read (although I have only read three) is Stephen King's On writing. It is good because it doesn't overload the reader with masses of theorising. It gives a few helpful, basic pointers, whilst honestly admitting there are no shortcuts. King says the only way to write well is to read a lot and write a lot, and that is probably the only piece of advice about writing (along with "show, don't tell") that should be engraved on every aspiring writer's heart.

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 13, 2010

It's the most used book in my personal library.

maestrowork · Feb 13, 2010

I've never read or studied it. I learned stuff through other ways. Didn't seem to hurt me much.

Ken · Feb 13, 2010

... if you tend to be verbose, which I was, Elements will cure you like nobody's business. Good writing is a lot about saying what you want to say in as few words as possible, and this book will teach you that. I didn't find all the advice in the book applicable, particularly towards the end. Chances are you won't either. But I'm sure you'll find reading it of value. So shell out the loot. It's one of the cheaper books on the craft out there and imo one of the best.

thothguard51 · Feb 13, 2010

I have always found Elements of Style to be a primer reference book on the rules of basic grammar, structure and style. Got two copies, one at work and one at my writing desk at home. It really helped my writing to become less wordy and less passive...

rugcat · Feb 13, 2010

Ken said:
Good writing is a lot about saying what you want to say in as few words as possible, and this book will teach you that.

"Omit needless words" is the best advice ever.

That doesn't mean everything has to be short. But once you truly understand the concept of "needless" you'll be well on your way to better writing.

If you are interested in writing clean prose, whether fiction or non fiction, it's a valuable book.

If your grammar is a bit weak and you want a text that explains simply and clearly the basics which are 95% of what you'll ever need, it's a valuable book.

Remember, it doesn't go into anything in depth -- that's not its purpose. It's called The Elements Of Style.

Fryson · Feb 13, 2010

I really appreciate the advice from everyone, I did end up picking up Elements of Style.. I have basically just starting write this past year or so, at least taking it seriously, so I've been trying to get as much advice as possible. I figured I would just read as much as I possibly can and mix and match information. I also at some point plan to buy Stephen King's On Writing. I've seen that mentioned many times plus I just really like Stephen King.

Once again I really appreciate the replies, everyone.

Mara · Feb 14, 2010

It's really good for learning basic rules, but it's also really boring to read.

Ken · Feb 14, 2010

rugcat said:
"Omit needless words" is the best advice ever.

That doesn't mean everything has to be short. But once you truly understand the concept of "needless" you'll be well on your way to better writing.

... an important distinction, to be sure. I meant as much, but good to be clear on the issue. So instead of saying things in as few words as possible, one should simply write efficiently. I think that covers all bases ;-)

The Elements of Style

Fryson

Something Witty

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

stephenf

Dawnstorm

punny user title, here

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Jamesaritchie

fadeaccompli

here and there again

MJWare

Kidlit gang, Junior member.

Aschenbach

Moral Marjorie

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Ken

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

Fryson

Something Witty

Mara

Clever User Title

Ken