31 Quotes by William Strunk, Jr.

If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!

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

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.

This book is intended for use in English courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature. It aims to give in a brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention (in Chapters II and III) on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated. The numbers of the sections may be used as references in correcting manuscript.

Do not, therefore, say "I feel nauseous," unless you are sure you have that effect on others.

To acquire style, begin by affecting none.

Opinions scattered indiscriminately about leave the mark of egotism.