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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The original of the great guide, 15 Dec 2005
I first encountered Strunk and White's 'Elements of Style' when I was an undergraduate, and I have been a fan of this book ever sense. Perhaps it is because of the excellent teamwork that is apparent on the pages between the master of language, William Strunk, and the master of narrative, E.B. White. How can you go wrong learning grammar from the likes of the author of such wonderful tales as Stuart Little? During my English composition class as an undergraduate, we had to read this book twice, once at the beginning of the term, and again at the end. I have since referred to the pages so often that I am on my fourth or fifth copy, as the binding and pages have worn out from use. Long before books such as 'Woe is I' or 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves', this book, 'The Elements of Style' has held a certain pride of place in being useful, accessible and interesting in its presentation of a traditionally and typically boring subject - grammar and usage. Among the pieces I re-read on a frequent basis is the list of commonly misused or abused words and phrases. Here is a list of easily corrected mistakes that the typical writer and speaker needs to keep in mind. Also, the suggestions for composition are gentle reminders that creativity and good craftsmanship need not be contradictory. 'Elements of Style' has been such a popular book that it has undergone several revisions, and has been in print for a very long time. However, this text brings back the original work, the 'authorised' version, as it were, by which to compare the later revised and new revised standard version. If I am making this sound like a work of biblical stature, you may be on to something - just as people swear on the Bible in courts and to take oaths, there are many who swear by this text for proper command of the English langauge. This is a wonderful gift and wonderful treat for oneself.
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