Comments on: Elements of Style

By: Gordon McLean

Gordon McLean — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:09:41 +0000

Craig, I agree your approach is the right one, all I’m pointing out is that Strunk & White is a book about rules and principles. That is more than a “rule of thumb” surely?

Of course every such book is a moral compass of sorts, and everyone will read into the content as much as they desire. Perhaps that is the problem, it’s all down to interpretation!?

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:01:03 +0000

I believe the writers of the book did their job as they saw fit: They left it up to us to interpret their book. One can take it as gospel and write accordingly. Or, one can take it as as a rule of thumb, as I do, and keep its principles in mind as the moral compass I mentioned earlier.

By: Gordon McLean

Gordon McLean — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:07:21 +0000

I tend to agree but, alas, the writers of said book don’t suggest that is how it should be taken. Indeed, the opening Introduction (by Mr. White), states that “It was Will Strunk’s… attempt to cut the vast tangle of English rhetoric down to size and writes its rules and principles on the head of a pin”.

Rules and principles aren’t really the same as “moral guide”… are they?

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:25:03 +0000

I loved his responses to the negative comments more than I enjoyed the original article. I also agree with the comment above. The book in question is more of a moral compass. It is not to be followed literally.

By: writer zero

writer zero — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:26:17 +0000

Hey great link!!!

I agree that Professor Pullum’s response was great. BUT, IMHO, The Elements of Style is sort of the technical writer’s bible – not to be taken literally but the moral guide of our craft :)