Make Your Writing Better with "The Elements of Style"

Do you want your writing to be clearer, stronger, and more professional? Whether you're sending emails, writing reports, or creating content—The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. can help.

This tiny book has been a secret weapon for writers for over 100 years. Why? Because it gives simple, powerful rules that make your writing clean and easy to read.

Let’s explore the best tips from this classic—and how they can improve your writing today.

Rule #1: Omit needless words

This is one of the most famous rules in the book. Strunk says:

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.

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.Open book

That means: say what you mean, and don’t overdo it.

Instead of ❌Due to the fact that we are late…

Write: ✅ Because we are late…

Cut the fluff. Keep what matters.

Rule #2: Use the active voice

Strunk tells us:

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

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.Open book

Active voice puts your subject in control:

• ✅ The manager wrote the report.
• ❌ The report was written by the manager.

Active voice = stronger, clearer, more confident.

Rule #3: Keep parallel structure

Strunk says:

Express Co-ordinate Ideas in Similar Form

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.Open book

If you’re listing actions or ideas, make the grammar match:

• ✅ She likes reading, writing, and sketching.
• ❌ She likes to read, writing, and to sketch.

It’s smoother, easier to read, and more professional.

Rule #4: Use definite, specific, concrete language

General words are vague. Specific words are strong and clear.

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

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.Open book

For example:

• ❌ The weather was bad.
• ✅ A cold wind shook the windows, and rain hit the roof.

More detail = more impact.

Rule #5: Put the most important words at the end

He writes:

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

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.Open book

This helps your sentence land with power.

Instead of: ❌ We were met by disappointment at the end of the journey.

Try: ✅ At the end of the journey, we were met by disappointment.

Even More to Discover Inside

What we’ve shared is just the beginning.

The Elements of Style is full of other smart tips about writing clearly and confidently—like:

• How to use paragraph structure for strong flow
• How to avoid overused expressions
• When to break a sentence (and when not to)
• Why choosing the right word matters more than using a long one
• How to stay consistent in point of view and tense

It’s short, sharp, and packed with value.

Whether you're a CEO, a student, a marketer, or someone who just wants to write better, these timeless rules will never go out of style.