The Elements of (Life)Style

A slim sourcebook for writers, The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White is a veritable classic, thoroughly instructive and reliable for any writer young or old, novice or professional.

During one of my periodic perusals of the book recently, it struck me how much of Strunk and White’s writing advice can be viewed as advice about life and career. So, herewith, four nuggets from The Elements of (Life)Style.

(Note: Insertions of red text represent my adaptations of Strunk & White.)

1. “Put statements in positive form.”

“Make definite assertions,” counsel Strunk & White. “Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language.” Avoid using the word “not” as “a means of evasion.” This helps one see clearly and define one’s goals.

Thus: I do not very often work all that hard

becomes: I lack discipline.

And: I do not have a clear sense of how to reach my objective

becomes: I need clear intermediate goals.

2. “Use the active voice.”

Strunk & White assert: “The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive.” In undertaking challenges in life, too, the active voice helps harness one’s passion and belief.

I will pursue my destiny and embrace my happiness.

This is much better than

My destiny and happiness are there for my pursuing.

3. “Use definite, specific, concrete language.”

Strunk & White advise us to “Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.”

“If those who have studied the art of writing life are in accord on any one point, it is on this: the surest way to hold the attention of the reader get inspired and remain perseverant is by being specific, definite, and concrete” in one’s vision.

Thus:

I will work very hard to write well and try to get published

becomes:

I will write for two hours every day until I’ve produced a complete short story. Referring to The Elements of Style, I will revise the story. I will show the story to trusted readers, weigh their comments about it, and make appropriate changes and improvements. Finally, once the story is as perfect as I believe I can make it, I will send a copy of it to one magazine per week until it is accepted for publication.

4. “Choose a suitable design and hold to it.”

Strunk & White point out that every form of writing happy, healthy lifestyle and every fulfilling career is rooted in a structure or plan — though they acknowledge that “In some cases, the best design is no design.”

More often, however, planning precedes writing success. A primary rule of composition success “is to foresee or determine the shape of what is to come and pursue that shape.”

A sonnet is built on a fourteen-line frame, of five-foot lines. Hence, the sonneteer knows exactly where he is headed. …

The more clearly one perceives the shape a design for one’s desires, the better one’s chances of success. …”

What do you know, maybe writing well and living well aren’t all that different.

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