The Elements of Style; Annotated Edition with Biographies and Historical Context
William Strunk Jr.
Step back to the origins of one of the most enduring works on English composition with this special annotated edition of The Elements of Style, first published in 1920 by William Strunk Jr. This edition presents the original text as it appeared in its earliest widely available form—concise, practical, and uncompromising in its call for clarity, brevity, and precision in writing.
In this annotated volume, readers will not only encounter Strunk’s straightforward rules of usage and principles of composition, but also benefit from added historical context and biographical insights that illuminate the intellectual world in which the work was conceived.
At the heart of this landmark guide lies Strunk’s conviction, expressed to his students at Cornell University, that “vigorous writing is concise.” His slim manual distilled the essentials of grammar, style, and expression, designed to sharpen the pen of any writer who aspired to mastery.
This annotated edition
Historical A close look at the educational climate of early 20th-century America, where growing demands for clear, direct prose gave rise to practical handbooks such as The Elements of Style.
A detailed profile of William Strunk Jr.—his career as a professor, his influence on generations of students, and the legacy of his uncompromising approach to language.
Whether you are a student, teacher, or admirer of English prose, this edition offers not only Strunk’s original, unembellished manual but also a deeper appreciation of its place in the history of American writing instruction. Experience the clarity of thought that first established The Elements of Style as a classic, and discover why its principles remain vital more than a century later.