Elements of Style 2017

by Richard De A'Morelli

"This updated and expanded book is a 'must-have' desktop reference for writers and others who wish to produce a grammar-perfect final draft."

Elements of Style 2017 presents a collection of grammar, style, and punctuation rules to help you to write well, self-edit efficiently, and produce a grammar-perfect final draft. It is a major update to Strunk’s modest, 38-page grammar booklet published in 1921. If you write anything at all for work, school, or your own enjoyment, you should have a copy of this writer’s style guide on your desk.

Bestselling author/editor Richard De A'Morelli shares his 30+ years of experience as a senior editor and explains everything you need to know about grammar, style, and punctuation in a clear and simple way. Written in plain English, this book takes the headache out of great writing—and unlike most grammar books, it includes easy-to-follow examples. Read any chapter, follow the practical advice, and you will see an overnight improvement in your writing. Read a chapter a day, and in just two weeks, you will be amazed by the polished quality of your final draft.

Clear, concise writing is essential in today's world. For an author, a well-edited manuscript may bring an acceptance letter from a publisher or agent; or if you self-publish, it could generate positive reviews and sales. For students, an impressed instructor could mean an A grade; and in the workplace, a well-written report could mean a pay raise, a promotion, or the success of a business venture.

● Writers of all skill levels will discover quick and easy ways to recognize and fix grammar, style, and punctuation errors in their manuscripts.

● Students can use these rules to edit and polish book reports, essays, and other homework.

● Teachers can use this handbook to help students learn grammar and punctuation rules without the tears.

● Employees can follow these simple guidelines in the workplace to produce well-written reports, brochures, and other materials.

Learn how to improve your grammar, style and punctuation, and polish your writing to perfection with Elements of Style 2017.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2016

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this by mistake (thinking it was the other Elements of Style book but I'm so glad I did. This book looks fabulous. The cover is great, the layout inside is great, and as for the content inside, well the rules of grammar and punctuation are explained in plain English - with examples. I've not done much more than look up a few areas I struggle with (comma rules/capitalization) but I can already see that this is going to be a great companion guide (for authors and editors alike).

I am an editor myself (developmental), but I'm eager to brush up on my knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and style and wholly believe this book will allow me to do this.

[Alice Wardle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mostly a reference book, but I read it straight through like a normal book, which I wouldn't recommend. The first half of the book focuses on style of writing and the latter half focuses on punctuation. Certainly, the parts concerning style can be read like a normal book.

I read this because Stephen King recommended reading 'Elements of Style' by William Strunk to grasp how best to engage readers and write a story. I chose to read an updated, modern-day version rather than the original, published about a century prior. Things have changed since then, and not all the advice is appropriate for today's world.

I think some of the ideas - such as simplification (omitting unnecessary uses of 'that' in a sentence) - are very useful; however, if every writer follows the same handbook and 'rules' then there is no variation in writing style. Every writer will sound the same, have the same written voice. In some cases, poetical language may be desired by the reader; therefore, Richard De A'Morelli's assertion that, "everyone is in a hurry, bores quickly, and has virtually unlimited reading material to choose from; much of it is free. Thus, you should not write a 500-word paragraph describing a cloudy sky or flowers in a garden when you can describe that scene in a single, concise sentence" is ridiculous. It's not a competition to see how simple you can make a story. I don't like this approach. I think it's a good approach to non-fiction and advertising copywriting, but stories...not so much. What he is saying is that no one has the attention span or time to read a long book. Pfft. Hello? I'm here. My attention span is not all that good, but I'm here for a good time. Tell me about the sky. Say it in a 1,000 words if you think those words are good and pleasant and will keep me entertained. I've read five-pages long dialogue in a Dostoyevsky book, in which the characters are purely engaging in small talk and the story doesn't advance; I remain engrossed, though.

I think most of these rules need to be considered and either accepted or rejected after genuine contemplation.

[Aicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hesitant between 3.75 and 4. The book was so good. Very informative! But the redundancy and the fact that it focuses on Chicago Style (while I need MLA) affected my experience with it badly.
This is certainly more of a guideline that you would need to go back to again and again.
It's nice, tho, that such a manual exists!

[Janine Pestel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the information in this book to be very helpful in my writing. I learned of a few things I was doing incorrectly. Thank you for putting this information out there. I highly recommend this book.

[Benoit Blanchon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference but way too long.

[Anya Blackhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time to read this book and to make notes.

I'll definitely return to it and use it as a guide for my future writing.

[Cheryl Mealy]

Well written. Will be a great and useful tool.