Synthesized answer
The overarching goal of Strunk's "Elementary Principles of Composition" is to achieve "plain English style" [3]. This is accomplished by concentrating on "a few essentials" and the "principal requirements of plain English style" [3]. The book aims to give these requirements in a "brief space" [3].
Rules like "Omit needless words" and "Use the active voice" directly serve this goal by promoting conciseness and vigor. Vigorous writing is described as concise, meaning that "every word tell" [2]. This principle is mirrored in the idea that "a sentence should contain no unnecessary words" [1]. Similarly, the active voice is favored because it is "usually more direct and vigorous than the passive" [4], making the writing less "less direct, less bold, and less concise" when the passive voice is used [4]. The passages also state that "as positive statement is more concise than negative, and the active voice more concise than the passive," these rules contribute to conciseness [2].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
n which the predicate "was prohibited" expresses something not implied in "export." 12. Put statements in positive form. edit Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion. The last example, before correction, is indefinite as well as negative. The corrected version, consequently, is simply a guess at the writer's intention. All three examples show the weakness inherent in the word not. Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is…
ssary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. Many expressions in common use violate this principle: In especial the expression the fact that should be revised out of every sentence in which it occurs. See also under case , character , nature , system in Chapter V. Who is , which was , and the like are often superfluous. As positive statement is more concise than…
← Contents The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. I. Introductory Elementary Rules of Usage → Jump to: Contents - Introduction - Rules - Principles - Form - Misuse - Misspelling 31112 The Elements of Style — I. Introductory William Strunk, Jr. 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…
tatement serving to hold together the details that follow. But this device, if too often used, would become a mannerism. More commonly the opening sentence simply indicates by its subject with what the paragraph is to be principally concerned. The brief paragraphs of animated narrative, however, are often without even this semblance of a topic sentence. The break between them serves the purpose of a rhetorical pause, throwing into prominence some detail of the action. 11. Use the active voice. edit The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive: This is much better than…
a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last. 3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas. 4. Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause. 5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma. 6. Do not break sentences in two. 7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject. 8. Divide words at line-ends, in accordance with their formation and pronunciation. Elementary Principles of Composition 9. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic. 10. As a rule, begin each paragraph…
More questions about this book
- The text describes "The Elements of Style" as a "prescriptive treatment." What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a widely influential guide dictating specific rules for writing, rather than merely observing and describing common usage?
- Choose any three specific rules from either the "Elementary Rules of Usage" or "Elementary Principles of Composition." For each, explain not just *what* the rule is, but *why* following it enhances clarity, impact, or readability in written communication.
- Considering the book's lasting influence and status as "required reading," what does its continued prevalence suggest about the relationship between fluid linguistic evolution and the enduring principles of effective communication?
- Imagine a writer intentionally disregarded a rule like "Do not join independent clauses by a comma" or "Make the paragraph the unit of composition." Under what circumstances might such a stylistic choice be deliberate and effective, and what communicative purpose might it serve?