Comparing The Elements of Style and Style Toward Clarity and Grace

Comparing The Elements of Style by Strunk and White and Style Toward Clarity and Grace by Williams

Both The Elements of Style by Strunk and White and Style Toward Clarity and Grace by Williams emphasize the importance of ‘style’ in writing. Though they agree style is important, their approach and views of style differ. Stunk and White’s book was published in 1912 and was written for the old-fashioned ivy leaguers. This can be expressed by their use of the pronoun ‘he’. According to Strunk and White ‘he’ should always be used. Williams’ book was published in 1981 and in more culturally written. Williams states that a writer can use either ‘he’ or ‘she’; whichever is socially acceptable. He also tells the writer to use such words as police officer instead of policeman and mail carrier instead of mailman.

Strunk and White feel that to be a good writer one must adhere to the rules they state in their book. Jeri Eleswed’s blog states that she was amazed that she already incorporated many of the rules in Strunk and White’s book into her own writing. They feel it is important for the writer to have an individual style “…what your are, rather than what you know, will at last determine your style”. (Strunk 84) Strunk tells the writer that he should sympathize with the reader, but never seek to know the reader’s wants. The duty of the writer is to “please and satisfy yourself and a true writer always plays to a party of one”. (Strunk 84) In Patty Clark’s Blog spot she gave a great statement about Strunk and White. “The voice in which this little book is written sounds like an old-fashioned schoolmaster”. I completely agree with her and when I read their book I picture my twelfth grade English teacher at the blackboard with her fancy chalk holder cramming grammar down our throats.

Williams’ views on style are more diverse. According to him, style should be more about the audience the writer is writing to rather than the writer himself. Williams explains how to write or the reader. In his last chapter Williams states how to write in a constructive voice, how to the flow of information affects the reader, what words to use when the reader has prior knowledge of the subject and when he or she does not, and how to be clear for the reader.