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Simon Fay's Reviews > The Elements of Style
The Elements of Style
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As a couple of reviewers have mentioned, Elements of Style has become somewhat out of style. There are plenty of people who stand by it as a trusted source for all things grammar, but I imagine even diehard supporters will grudgingly admit that the standards it established have led to some truly convoluted sentences.
Even so, I still recommend it as a handy pocketbook for anybody who's interested in the craft of writing. When I originally read it a number of years ago, I was a little strict in following the rules it outlined. It had a negative impact on my writing. But as I outgrew some of the habits it taught me, I began to think of it more as a leap off point for amateur wordsmiths, a sturdy foundation for beginners to build their own style on.
Yes, there are probably more up to date guides on grammar and writing, but I haven't read those, so my rating for this book exists in a vacuum of sorts: It's a good manual if you take it as the beginning of wisdom, not the end. Most importantly, the material is simple and engaging. The examples and logic are straightforward. And at the very least it will get you playing with the English language.
Even so, I still recommend it as a handy pocketbook for anybody who's interested in the craft of writing. When I originally read it a number of years ago, I was a little strict in following the rules it outlined. It had a negative impact on my writing. But as I outgrew some of the habits it taught me, I began to think of it more as a leap off point for amateur wordsmiths, a sturdy foundation for beginners to build their own style on.
Yes, there are probably more up to date guides on grammar and writing, but I haven't read those, so my rating for this book exists in a vacuum of sorts: It's a good manual if you take it as the beginning of wisdom, not the end. Most importantly, the material is simple and engaging. The examples and logic are straightforward. And at the very least it will get you playing with the English language.
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July 10, 2017
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Jul 10, 2017 11:38AM
Pinker's The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century has a great introduction suggesting S&W is outdated. I hope to read it when I'm *finally* done with Les Miserables.
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Crystal wrote: "Pinker's The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century has a great introduction suggesting S&W is outdated. I hope to read it when I'm *finally* do..."Thanks Crystal, I was actually just about to write a review of Elements of Style. Check back in 20 minutes!
A prominent NZ gallerist/art writer (and former art school tutor of mine) who I have the utmost respect for still swears by this as the one to read and own - and I have to admit the humour in it is very engaging. Maybe not a manual to follow word for word, but useful in its own right nonetheless!
Arielle wrote: "A prominent NZ gallerist/art writer (and former art school tutor of mine) who I have the utmost respect for still swears by this as the one to read and own - and I have to admit the humour in it is..."Yeh, the humour makes it easy to get through and doesn't go too far with it either.
