The Elements of Style: The Original Edition (Paperback)

by William Strunk (Author)
Key Phrases: topic sentence

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book is the classic reference text for clear writing and is generally considered a must-have for any student or writer. In this most revered of writing books, Strunk identifies the necessary qualities of proper American English style; and he does it all with wit and grace. Compelling and timeless, this book is simply the best of its kind.

Product Details

• Paperback: 56 pages
• Publisher: Coyote Canyon Press; Original edition (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979660742
• ISBN-13: 978-0979660740
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,512 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WARNING: Amazon is commingling reviews, May 20, 2008

By	Brian's Dad (Los Gatos, CA United States) - See all my reviews

First of all, great book. Been writing professionally for 20 years, and I still use this book occasionally.

WARNING on REVIEWS: Amazon is using the same customer reviews for "The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition" by Strunk and White (1999) and "The Elements of Style - the Original Edition" by Strunk (without White) (1920), re-published September 2007.

Since the republication of Strunk's original work was released in September 2007, all reviews before that date pertain to "Strunk & White." Any review after that date, unless clearly indicated, could pertain to either book.

The books are markedly different, but Amazon is using the same customer reviews for both.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The print leaves much to be desired., September 30, 2008

By	T. Knight - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is great, I mean it's a classic but this version looks like it came right off the photo copier of the original print for 100 years ago. It's horribly fussy and the copy spacing is poor. I suggest finding a version by a different publisher.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a concise review of grammar rules, extremely useful!, September 24, 2008

By	Aleksandra Nita-Lazar (MD, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

William Strunk's book "The Elements of Style" was recommended to me by an American friend, whose linguistic abilities I value very high. I ordered the book immediately and was surprised, when it arrived, by how thin it was. It turned out to be a compendium, which would best be memorized (I am not joking!). This American English writing style guide was written in 1918, but has not aged at all. The most important rules of American English, and the ones most commonly forgotten (like the use of Saxon Genitive of commas), are gathered here. I found the collection of frequently misspelled words very useful, too (although I though of some I could add, for example "receive", which I see misspelled more often than not). For me, the most helpful part was the discussion on brevity and omitting then unnecessary words - I still struggle with long sentences and too many adjectives and adverbs. This small volume is a must-have for anyone who wants to write correctly in English!