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awebster92's review against another edition
5.0
I first heard about this book from one of my favorite authors. I decided to purchase after I started my book review blog. I learned so much from this book just in my first read through. I still have much to learn from this book. I didn’t even know I was making some of these common mistakes. I believe ‘Elements of Style’ will also help me when I return to school this year. I believe that it has absolutely earned it’s 5/5
beths0103's review against another edition
1.0
I hated, hated, HATED this book! Talk about literary elitism at its worst. This book annoyed me to no end because the entire tone of this book was, "If you write like this or if you say this, then it's wrong." So much of what was written in the "Improperly used words" section could be completely argued that language has evolved to the point where many of these rules don't apply anymore. I also didn't like the imperative manner in which it was written. Don't order me to do these things; give me encouragement, tell me what's good about writing, don't just tell me what not to do.
The last chapter of the book was much more positive, and I think that's because it was written by E.B. White. I could totally tell where one voice began and the other ended.
I guess what really upsets me most about this book is how discouraging it can be for beginning writers to see so many nit-picky "rules" of writing and find themselves saying, "Why bother?" For people who enjoy writing, maybe this book might be of some use as a way to give you "friendly reminders," but I fear beginning writers getting a hold of this book, saying, "Writing has way too many rules," and then giving up before they even try.
I have many other writing books in my collection that are written with voice and flow, and are inspirational rather than enraging. (e.g. [b: In the Middle|7332|The Silmarillion (Middle-Earth Universe)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336502583s/7332.jpg|4733799] by Nancie Atwell, [b: Clearing the Way|10419385|Clearing the Way|Mark Gasparotto|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347755005s/10419385.jpg|15323663] and [b:Crafting Authentic Voice|792647|Crafting Authentic Voice|Tom Romano|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389738019s/792647.jpg|778630] by Tom Romano, [b: The Craft of Revision|1203847|The Craft of Revision|Donald M. Murray|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388632060s/1203847.jpg|1192164] by Donald M. Murray, [b: Style: Toward Clarity and Grace|246853|Style Toward Clarity and Grace|Joseph M. Williams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388197180s/246853.jpg|2053504] by Joseph M. Williams, etc.) I think I will continue to refer to those books rather than this one.
The last chapter of the book was much more positive, and I think that's because it was written by E.B. White. I could totally tell where one voice began and the other ended.
I guess what really upsets me most about this book is how discouraging it can be for beginning writers to see so many nit-picky "rules" of writing and find themselves saying, "Why bother?" For people who enjoy writing, maybe this book might be of some use as a way to give you "friendly reminders," but I fear beginning writers getting a hold of this book, saying, "Writing has way too many rules," and then giving up before they even try.
I have many other writing books in my collection that are written with voice and flow, and are inspirational rather than enraging. (e.g. [b: In the Middle|7332|The Silmarillion (Middle-Earth Universe)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336502583s/7332.jpg|4733799] by Nancie Atwell, [b: Clearing the Way|10419385|Clearing the Way|Mark Gasparotto|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347755005s/10419385.jpg|15323663] and [b:Crafting Authentic Voice|792647|Crafting Authentic Voice|Tom Romano|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389738019s/792647.jpg|778630] by Tom Romano, [b: The Craft of Revision|1203847|The Craft of Revision|Donald M. Murray|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388632060s/1203847.jpg|1192164] by Donald M. Murray, [b: Style: Toward Clarity and Grace|246853|Style Toward Clarity and Grace|Joseph M. Williams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388197180s/246853.jpg|2053504] by Joseph M. Williams, etc.) I think I will continue to refer to those books rather than this one.
hopeykatt's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that this book went into detail about the structures of language and provides a no-nonsense _________________ into how grammar should be used and structured. Most of these rules I learned already in undergrad, albeit my professor phrased things differently (Less is More vs. Omit Needless Words).
However I felt like this book was largely Old-White-Man-Opinon and it made me question whether some of these rules are actually "rules." For example
Do not inject opinion.
Do not use dialect unless your ear is good.
Write with nouns and verbs.
Don't construct awkward adverbs.
Avoid fancy words.
Do not overwrite.
and perhaps most shockingly: "Avoid foreign languages."
I was required to read this book as part of a publishing course and sincerely hope this isn't going to be regarded as some sort of sacred text. I feel like it's outdated and stuffy, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the more sensible grammar rules that truly benefit a writer and I assume are mean to teach a writer to care about the craft more than just putting words on a page.
However I felt like this book was largely Old-White-Man-Opinon and it made me question whether some of these rules are actually "rules." For example
Do not inject opinion.
Do not use dialect unless your ear is good.
Write with nouns and verbs.
Don't construct awkward adverbs.
Avoid fancy words.
Do not overwrite.
and perhaps most shockingly: "Avoid foreign languages."
I was required to read this book as part of a publishing course and sincerely hope this isn't going to be regarded as some sort of sacred text. I feel like it's outdated and stuffy, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the more sensible grammar rules that truly benefit a writer and I assume are mean to teach a writer to care about the craft more than just putting words on a page.
rinnyssance's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books nerds recommend to passively insult your writing. Still, it's helpful. I've been meaning to read it for awhile. It doesn't feel like it, but I'm sure I got more from it than I believe.
cameronwaller's review against another edition
4.0
A devilishly useful text turned surrealist funhouse by the added illustrations of Maira Kalman.
jayala0612's review against another edition
4.0
Helped with my first baby...didn't need it for the second because I remembered everything!