Key Insights from “The Elements of Style” by E. B. White
The Elements of Style by E. B. White and William Strunk Jr. This little book is packed with practical advice and timeless rules that can make your writing clearer, more concise, and more effective. Let’s dive into some of the key points from the book and see how we can apply them with real examples.
Omit Needless Words
One of the most famous rules from The Elements of Style is to “omit needless words.” White and Strunk emphasize that good writing is concise. Extra words clutter your message and confuse the reader.
Example: Instead of writing, “At this point in time, we are currently reviewing the situation,” you could simply say, “We are reviewing the situation.”
Use Active Voice
Using the active voice makes your writing more direct and vigorous. The active voice emphasizes the doer of the action, making sentences clearer and more engaging.
Example: Active: “The cat chased the mouse.” Passive: “The mouse was chased by the cat.”
White and Strunk explain, “The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive” (White and Strunk, 18).
Be Specific
Specific details make your writing more interesting and persuasive. Avoid vague language and generalizations; instead, use concrete terms and precise descriptions.
Example: Vague: “The weather was bad.” Specific: “A cold, biting wind whipped through the trees, and the sky was filled with dark, ominous clouds.”
Avoid Overuse of Qualifiers
Qualifiers like “very,” “really,” “quite,” and “basically” can weaken your writing. Strunk and White suggest eliminating these words to make your statements stronger and more confident.
Example: Instead of saying, “She was very happy,” you could say, “She was ecstatic.”
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Place Yourself in the Background
Good writers often place themselves in the background, allowing the subject to stand out. This rule encourages you to avoid drawing attention to yourself unnecessarily.
Example: Instead of writing, “I believe that the new policy will improve productivity,” you could write, “The new policy will improve productivity.”
White and Strunk state, “The writer… should aim to achieve a style so transparent that the reader is not aware of the words, only of their meaning” (White and Strunk, 70).
Revise and Rewrite
Writing is a process, and one of the most important steps is revision. Strunk and White emphasize the importance of revising and rewriting to improve clarity and effectiveness.
Example: Your first draft might be wordy and unclear. By revising, you can tighten the language, clarify the message, and enhance the overall quality of the writing.
Use Parallel Construction
Parallel construction involves using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This technique improves readability and adds rhythm to your writing.
Example: Non-parallel: “She likes to run, swimming, and biking.” Parallel: “She likes running, swimming, and biking.”
Avoid Fancy Words
Strunk and White advise against using overly fancy or complex words when simpler ones will do. This makes your writing more accessible and easier to understand.
Example: Instead of saying, “Utilize,” say, “Use.” Instead of “Commence,” say, “Begin.”
Keep Related Words Together
Keeping related words together improves clarity. This rule helps prevent confusion and ensures that your sentences flow logically.
Example: Confusing: “He only found out yesterday he could go.” Clearer: “He found out only yesterday that he could go.”
The Elements of Style by E. B. White and William Strunk Jr. is a timeless guide that offers practical advice for improving your writing. By omitting needless words, using active voice, being specific, and following the other key rules, you can make your writing clearer, more concise, and more effective. These principles are not just for professional writers but for anyone who wants to communicate more effectively.
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