In his Philosophy of Style, Herbert Spencer gives two sentences to illustrate how the vague and general can be turned into the vivid and particular: In proportion as the manners, customs, and amusements of a nation are cruel and barbarous,… — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should… — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
Do not, therefore, say "I feel nauseous," unless you are sure you have that effect on others. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
The adjective hasn't been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place, — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
“Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is... If your… — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
The surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definitive, and concrete. The greatest writers - Homer,… — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
To air one's views gratuitously, is to imply that the demand for them is brisk. — William Strunk, Jr Copy Share Image
