The Elements of Style

Metadata

• Author: [[William Strunk Jr.]]
• Full Title: The Elements of Style
• Category: #books

Notes

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. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. (Location 90)

The colon has more effect than the comma, less power to separate than the semicolon, and more formality than the dash. (Location 203)

A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses. (Location 215)

The difference between a verbal participle and a gerund is not always obvious, but note what is really said in each of the following. Do you mind me asking a question? Do you mind my asking a question? (Location 257)

If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority. Save the auxiliaries would, should, could, may, might, and can for situations involving real uncertainty. (Location 334)