Books Quote by William Strunk, Jr
““Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is... If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Style (revised), 1918
Strunk argues that writing must provide clear information, not just highlight what is missing, to maintain authority.
In simple terms: Provide clear statements, avoid constant doubt.
Key Takeaway
Write with confidence.
Themes
clarity
authority
writing style
Mood
instructive
serious
Type
educational
professional
When to use this quote
- academic essays
- journalistic pieces
- creative writing
Key Concepts
rhetoric
confidence
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance confidence with openness?
- When is doubt beneficial in writing?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can ignore nuance.
