The Elements of Style
I have two copies of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. I have never read them cover to cover, but decided to at least start perusing the most recent one I have (1962). I used to live a couple of miles south of EB White’s house in Brooklin, Maine. I don’t move around in writers’ circles, so I don’t know how much standing this 1919 book still has. Perhaps EB White is only known for Charlotte’s Web and such books with themes from his life on the coast of Maine.
Anyway, I learned that The Elements of Style, which has been a Bible for so many years for writers, was actually self published by Strunk, then later picked up by a publisher. EB White’s revision has sold over 10 million copies!
Tonight, sitting by the fire, I saw a Substack post about this book, pictured in the hand of a smiling young writer, much younger than my children. So I guess it’s still a relevant guide.
My Advanced Placement English class in high school in 2012 used this book, along with On Writing Well by Zinsser, and it was my favorite guide to writing. If I am concise, credit Strunk.
Back in the 60's, the English Dept. at my college recommended this thin, pocket-sized book, which I've kept and used since. It's clearly written and helpful for writing. A few years before college my fourth grade teacher read Charlotte's Web to the class--the pleasure of the words and story stays with me.