William Strunk
William Strunk
William Strunk Jr.was an American professor of English at Cornell University and author of the The Elements of Style. After revision and enlargement by his former student E. B. White, it became a highly influential guide to English usage during the late 20th century, commonly called Strunk & White...
ProfessionTeacher
Date of Birth1 July 1869
writing concise vigorous
Vigorous writing is concise.
adjectives built inaccurate nouns pull tight weak
Write with nouns and verbs, not with adjectives and adverbs. The adjective hasn't been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place.
contain drawing lines machine paragraph reason sentence vigorous
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.
book practice numbers
This book is intended for use in English courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature. It aims to give in a brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention (in Chapters II and III) on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated. The numbers of the sections may be used as references in correcting manuscript.
feels effects
Do not, therefore, say "I feel nauseous," unless you are sure you have that effect on others.
style acquire
To acquire style, begin by affecting none.
opinion mark egotism
Opinions scattered indiscriminately about leave the mark of egotism.
learning mean writing
Rewrite and revise. Do not be afraid to seize what you have and cut it to ribbons ... Good writing means good revising.
It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.
chance situation one-chance
The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.
writing weakness needs
Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.
None are so fallible as those who are sure they're right.
reason stomach
Never call a stomach a tummy without good reason.
children intelligent sky
Avoid fancy words....If you admire fancy words, if every sky is beauteous, every blonde curvaceous, every intelligent child prodigious, if you are tickled by discombobulate, you will have bad time Reminder 14.