A Public Domain Resource for English Language Writers

Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, first privately published in 1918, is a must-have resource for any English language writer. Because of its early copyright date this work is now in the Public Domain, and can be accessed online free of cost from most countries.

This work has been updated numerous times since first publication, and more modern editions now include additional information not available in the Public Domain version.

Still, because the foundational work covers the most important basic American English grammar and style essentials, the original, public domain version is a fantastic resource for people all over the world who are writing in English, and who need an online or downloadable free version.

One thing to keep in mind when using the original version of this work is that there are several cases of outdated usage for some words. For instance, the original version instructs the reader to use to-day when today is the correct modern usage.

For people whose first language is not English, I recommend writing your articles using The Elements of Style as your guide, and then running your complete article text through https://www.grammarly.com/ to get the adjustments needed for modern day correct usage.

Source links for The Elements of Style Original Version

These two links will take you to online versions of the Public Domain original version of The Elements of Style.

https://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/style.html

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style

Table of Contents for The Elements of Style Original Version

Here are the topics covered in the original 1918 version of The Elements of Style:

• Contents
• Introductory
• Elementary Rules of Usage

1. Form the possessive singular of nouns with 's.
2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas.
4. Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.
5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma.
6. Do not break sentences in two.
7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.
8. Divide words at line-ends, in accordance with their formation and pronunciation.
   Elementary Principles of Composition
9. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.
10. As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence; end it in conformity with the beginning.
11. Use the active voice.
12. Put statements in positive form.
13. Omit needless words.
14. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
15. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.
16. Keep related words together.
17. In summaries, keep to one tense.
18. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

• A Few Matters of Form
• Words and Expressions Commonly Misused
• Words Commonly Misspelled

Grammar Matters in English

Becoming a skilled writer in English does not happen without careful attention to detail. It is extremely helpful to have a short, concise reference manual such as The Elements of Style by Strunk and White close at hand while writing.

I have used my copy of The Elements of Style since I purchased it as a textbook in college.

• I continue to use it today whenever I can’t remember a punctuation rule.

• I also read it from cover to cover about once a year to remind myself of details I may have forgotten.

These practices help make my writing the best it can be.

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@mitneb

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