ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLESOF COMPOSITION

The Elements of Style 

William Strunk, Jr.. (1869–1946).  

Table of Contents1Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic 2As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence; end it in conformity with the beginning 3Use the active voice 4Put statements in positive form 5Omit needless words 6Avoid a succession of loose sentences 7Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form 8Keep related words together 9In summaries, keep to one tense 10Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end I.

1. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic

Things to be written in as single paragraph

- a brief description,

- a brief account of a single incident,

- a narrative merely outlining an action,

- the setting forth of a single idea

The beginning of each paragraph is a signal to the reader that a new step in the development of the subject has been reached

2. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence; end it in conformity with the beginning.

- The reader will discover and retain the purpose of each paragraph as he reads, particularly in exposition and argument.

A. topic sentence comes at the beginning; B. succeeding sentences explain or develop the statement made

in the topic sentence; and C. final sentence emphasizes the thought of the topic sentence or

states important consequence.D. Ending with a digression, or with an unimportant detail, is

particularly to be avoided.

 

3. Use the active voice

1. The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive

2. The passive sentence is less direct, less bold, and less concise.

3. description or exposition can be made lively and emphatic

X There were a great number of dead leaves lying on the ground.

+ Dead leaves covered the ground

4. Put statements in positive form.

1. Make definite assertions. 2. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal

language. 3. Use the word not as a means of denial, never as

a means of evasion.X He was not very often on time.+ He usually came lateX not honest + dishonestX did not remember + forgot

5. Omit needless words

1. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences. Vigorous writing is concise.

2. Many expressions violate this principle:

X he is a man who + he

X owing to the fact that + since

X the fact that I had arrived + my arrival

6. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.  

1. An unskillful writer sometimes construct a whole paragraph using and, but, and less frequently, who, which, when, where, and while.

2. Remove the monotony by replacing them by simple sentences, by sentences of two clauses joined by a semicolon, by periodic sentences of two clauses, by sentences, loose or periodic, of three clauses—whichever best represent the real relations of the thought.

7. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form

1. This principle of parallel construction, requires expressions of similar content and function to be outwardly similar.

2. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function

X A time not for words, but action+ A time not for words, but for action

8. Keep related words together

The writer must bring together the words, and groups of words, that are related in thought, and keep apart those which are not so related.

• The subject of a sentence and the main verb should not be separated by a phrase or a clause.

• The relative pronoun should come, as a rule, immediately after its antecedent.

• Modifiers should come, if possible next to the word they modify.

9. In summaries, keep to one tense

1. In summarizing story, one should preferably use the present, though he may use the past if he prefers.

2. If the summary is in the present tense, antecedent action should be expressed by the perfect; if in the past, by the past perfect.

3. In summarizing the action of a drama, the writer should always use the present tense.

10. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end

1. The word, or group of words, which the writer desires to make most prominent is usually at the end of the sentence

2. The word or group of words entitled to this position of prominence is usually the new element in the sentence.

3. The other prominent position in the sentence is the beginning. Any element in the sentence, other than the subject, becomes emphatic when placed first

e.g. Deceit or treachery he could never forgive.

End of Presentation

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• Elements of style

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