Best Quotes from Elements Of Style by William Strunk Jr. with Page Numbers

It’s a wise dog that scratches its own fleas.

A common error is to write it’s for its, or vice versa.

Do not join independent clauses with a comma.

Man proposes, God disposes.

The relationship, as above, is commonly one of cause and consequence.

The increasing reluctance of the sun to rise, the extra nip in the breeze, the patter of shed leaves dropping — all the evidences of fall drifting into winter were clearer each day.

A colon tells the reader that what follows is closely related to the preceding clause.

His first thought on getting out of bed — if he had any thought at all — was to get back in again.

Use a dash to set off an abrupt break or interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary.

The number of the subject determines the number of the verb.

Choose a suitable design and hold to it.

The first principle of composition, therefore, is to foresee or determine the shape of what is to come and pursue that shape.

Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.

The object of treating each topic in a paragraph by itself is, of course, to aid the reader.

Use the active voice.

The habitual use of the active voice, however, makes for forcible writing.

Put statements in positive form.

Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language.

Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.

Vigorous writing is concise.

Do not draw attention to it by enclosing it in quotation marks.

The exclamation mark is to be reserved for use after true exclamations or commands.

Common sense will aid you in the decision, but a dictionary is more reliable.

The hyphen can play tricks on the unwary.

Keep righthand and lefthand margins roughly the same width.

Do not spell out dates or other serial numbers.

A quotation grammatically in apposition or the direct object of a verb is preceded by a comma and enclosed in quotation marks.

Typographical usage dictates that the comma be inside the marks.

When quotations of an entire line, or more, of either verse or prose are to be distinguished typographically from text matter, begin on a fresh line and indent.

Consult a dictionary to learn the syllables between which division should be made.

The shape of our language is not rigid; in questions of usage we have no lawgiver whose word is final.

Students whose curiosity is aroused by the interpretations that follow, or whose doubts are raised, will wish to pursue their investigations further.

The proper correction is likely to be not the replacement of one word or set of words by another but the replacement of vague generality by definite statement.

Use expect in the sense of simple expectation.

The too-frequent use of but as a conjunction leads to the fault discussed under Rule 18.

Consider these strategies to avoid an awkward overuse of he or she or an unintentional emphasis on the masculine.

Our country seemed almost wholly unprepared for war, but it had vast resources.

If every word or device that achieved currency were immediately authenticated, simply on the ground of popularity, the language would be as chaotic as a ball game with no foul lines.

As a writer, you must address your readers’ concerns.

If you feel you are possessed of the truth, or of the fact, simply state it.

Style is an increment in writing.

All writing is communication; creative writing is communication through revelation — it is the Self escaping into the open.

Writers will often find themselves steering by stars that are disturbingly in motion.

To achieve style, begin by affecting none — that is, place yourself in the background.

Writing is, for most, laborious and slow.

Revise and rewrite.

Clarity, clarity, clarity.

Style takes its final shape more from attitudes of mind than from principles of composition.

Your whole duty as a writer is to please and satisfy yourself.

Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.