Strict, stricken, Strunk
In this, the last post I intend to write about The Elements of Style, I draw your attention to Geoffrey Pullum’s Language Log post with links to New York Times commentary on “the little book” by Language Hat, Grammar Girl and other eminences. Particularly telling is Language Hat’s evaluation of the beloved book as “the mangiest of stuffed owls.”
Of my own comments on the matter, I have only this to add. I have a sentimental recollection of encountering The Elements of Style at 18. But like many of the other delights one may recollect from youth — first loves, kir royales, amateur guitar playing — it does not hold up well on repeated encounter.
Comments
A somewhat quaint though tremendously simplistic and paternalistic little book. It’s long past time to put it out to pasture. Or, you know, shoot it.
Posted by: Donna de la Perriere | April 25, 2009 5:57 PM
Or fix it. As I have done.
Posted by: John Cowan | April 25, 2009 9:23 PM
You're right. Who needs to be reminded about clarity, organization, and concision? No writers I know of.
Posted by: Alvin Blanco | April 26, 2009 10:22 AM
I surmise that Mr. Blanco may not have taken the time to read the criticisms by Professor Pullum and the others, which, if I may summarize them, hold that bad advice, or good advice badly administered, will not benefit writers.
Posted by: John McIntyre | April 26, 2009 10:34 AM
"Who needs to be reminded about clarity, organization, and concision? No writers I know of."
Good writers don't need to be reminded about these things, and a few bland and vague words of advice in a style manual won't be of much use to bad writers.
Posted by: Bill Walderman | April 27, 2009 12:36 PM
Is there a market for the kind of Strunk and White we wish it were?
Posted by: Brian Cubbison | April 27, 2009 6:16 PM
Over the years, I have found that the people who quote this book the most have read it (or understood it) the least. Is it Scripture? It is not. Is it worth consulting? It is. (And cheers for the serial comma in Mr. Blanco's post.)
Posted by: Pawlie Kokonuts | April 27, 2009 10:10 PM
I've found the Strunk & White is a good reference but does not hold up well with the changes that have been made in language in the last 30 years. It's hard to dictate to people guidelines that are outdated and merely serve to make language more convoluted in contemporary speech and writing. I keep it as a knick-knack but little else other than that.
Posted by: JB Dryden | April 29, 2009 7:33 PM
Hi. Based on this interesting post, I thought you might be interested in seeing my note post regarding Strunk, White, and EOS. I hope you enjoy it.
http://blog.textarts.com/2009/04/strunk-and-white-elements-of-style.html
Best regards,
Mark Garvey
Posted by: Mark Garvey | April 30, 2009 9:57 AM