The Elements of Style

[amplify]

Destined to be a flop, I know.
The Elements of Style has been one of my favorite books since adolescence. I love the simple, straightforward advice and clear examples for each case. I love the terse sayings, such as, "Omit needless words." If there is one path I try to follow in writing it is to omit needless words. Sometimes, I omit so many that what is left only barely comprises a sentence.

Focus: What did you learn from The Elements of Style?

[Brainwalter]

Your first line is a fragment. Omitting needless words is a practice rather than a path.

[amplify]

True. Nitpicking.

[george w]

some grammar stuff and just ideas of style. it's a gold mine.

[ColdCaller]

The Elements of Style helped me to start sentences with something other than pronouns, and aided me in finding interesting descriptors in my writing.

[bobman0330]

I was about to make a post mocking you, but then I realized that all the bad writing is tongue and cheek. (right? RIGHT??????) Nice try, but I wasn't born yesterday.

[Ed Miller]

I really like this book.