William Strunk Jr. was an American professor of English at Cornell University, renowned for co-authoring "The Elements of Style," a seminal guide on English usage and composition. Originally published in 1918, the book has become a cornerstone for writers seeking clarity and precision. Strunk's work emphasizes concise expression and grammatical accuracy, influencing generations of students and writers. His contributions to English education remain influential and widely respected today.
Omit needless words.
Vigorous writing is concise.
Place yourself in the background.
Do not inject opinion.
Use the active voice.
Write with nouns and verbs.
Revise and rewrite.
Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity.
Do not overstate.
Be clear.
Do not affect a breezy manner.
Do not explain too much.