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kthomaswrites's review
4.0
This is a really good resource if you want to polish your grammar and avoid common tendencies that will cause your writing to be wooden or confusing.
dylancampbell's review
3.0
Perhaps the essential reference book for any writer.
This slim volume isn't exactly entertaining but it is chock full of important, concise, and accurate information which will make your writing better.
This slim volume isn't exactly entertaining but it is chock full of important, concise, and accurate information which will make your writing better.
savaging's review
3.0
There are two virtues to this book. The first is the final chapter, written entirely by E.B. White. The second is that the entire book is short, so you only have to read old Billy Strunk for sixty pages or so.
Strunk approaches "proper English" from a police-force position. Ergo, I feel a bit of glee over his losses (we use "hopefully" to mean "if all goes well," we use "they" for the third person singular, we join independent clauses with a comma). He has great, useful advice, but when he fights against the corruption of "the language" and fails, it feels like a win for the Rebels against the Empire.
But White, on the other hand, writes as a comrade, not posting rules but rather reminding us how our comrade-readers will have to struggle through dense, vapid, weak, or bizarre prose.
Probably this book could make anyone a less-bad writer.
Strunk approaches "proper English" from a police-force position. Ergo, I feel a bit of glee over his losses (we use "hopefully" to mean "if all goes well," we use "they" for the third person singular, we join independent clauses with a comma). He has great, useful advice, but when he fights against the corruption of "the language" and fails, it feels like a win for the Rebels against the Empire.
But White, on the other hand, writes as a comrade, not posting rules but rather reminding us how our comrade-readers will have to struggle through dense, vapid, weak, or bizarre prose.
Probably this book could make anyone a less-bad writer.
eliahaber's review
5.0
Excellent guide to writing just about anything. And it's done in less than 100 pages. It's the sort of book that you keep in your collection, to revisit every couple of years. Despite the rigid principles that are outlined, the authors explain how they eventually translate into unique styles, when adapted by different persons.
melerihaf's review
4.0
One of the most entertaining and informative books on writing. I think there are very many people who should read this book.
expendablemudge's review
5.0
Rating: 5* of five
The essential guide to HOW to write! How much better to start with a guide to achieving an effect you're looking for.
The essential guide to HOW to write! How much better to start with a guide to achieving an effect you're looking for.
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