The Elements of Style is a simple book originally published in 1918 detailing rules of English usage, principles of composition and form, and words commonly misused or misspelled. One of the reasons I felt compelled to read this book is because I usually spend embarrassing amounts of time revising my writing for the sake of clarity. I know I won't put the effort required to become an excellent writer anytime soon, but if I can learn the fundamentals of English, perhaps my writing will be more clear and impactful. While popular notion might be that getting picky about grammar and composition is a waste of time, I tend to agree with Strunk; a beginner at writing has a better chance of being understood should he choose to err on the established side of a language.
I read through this book eagerly because it deals with a subject that, at age 26, I really would have hoped to know better. Even though Strunk wrote the first edition nearly a century ago, virtually all of his advice is still relevant today, save perhaps the spelling of a few words. For instance, while the book insists on all right, the form alright was used in James Joyce's Ulysses in 1918 and is quite acceptable now. With regards to the rest, I should have committed the majority of it to memory a long time ago...
INCORRECT: Who am I speaking to?
CORRECT: Whom am I speaking to?
INCORRECT: One of the heaviest bands that has ever existed.
CORRECT: One of the heaviest bands that have ever existed.
INCORRECT: I've lied on the bed for too long.
CORRECT: I've lain on the bed for too long.
LOOSE: I work a lot and it's not easy but it's fun.
FORCIBLE: I work a lot; it's not easy, but it's fun.
SUPERFLUOUS: Robert wonders as to whether or not he writes in a clear manner.
SUCCINCT: Robert wonders whether he writes clearly.
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