Mark English Blog

Prompt Five

2004-10-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

The concept of style is a vague one at best. The books The Elements of Style by Strunk and White and Style Toward Clarity and Grace by Williams are very helpful in learning about style and, ultimately, defining your own style.
Strunk and White say that style is "an expression of self"(69). This seems like very vague advice. Are they saying that style is the writers voice? It doesn't appear so, as later, they tell us there is a "satisfactory style"(69). It seems unlikely that you could have an unsatisfactory voice.
Williams suggests that good style is represented in clear, understandable writing. He says, "clarity in professional writing is a matter that depends on more than merely a writer's level of skill"(x).

As a whole, Strunk and White seem to be more concerned with grammar rules than points on style. Their advice on style is general and vague. They say, "Write in a way that comes easily and naturally to you"(70). That doesn't give much as far as workable advice. This point on Strunk and White's vagueness is even more clearly shown when they say, "Do not affect a breezy manner"(73).
The earlier sections on the book, however, are very useful. These sections do not, however focus on style. Rather the focus is on the general use of English and proper ways to write. It is a great book to keep around to reference.

The Williams book does not focus much at all on the general rules of writing. Instead, Williams leads us on an exhausting journey of stylistic techniques and examples. The many examples really help the reader to understand what is being said and how to incorporate these techniques into his/her own writing. Williams even takes a shot at helping us with our "elegance". He however admits this to be a topic which instruction is limited, "I can't tell you how to be graceful and elegant in the same way I can tell you how to be clear and direct"(153).

Prompt Four

2004-10-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

As I read through various Blogs, I could not help but to develop a strong dislike for Strunk and White's chapter on Commonly Misused Words. It seems as though everyone has high praises for this section. This is ironic because that high praise usually comes after the writer has commented on the limited use of this book.
Meagan writes, "I don't think it should be used as a book containing rules set in stone. Since it is a book originally written for the white male, ivy league, college student, after four editions and revisions it is still obvious who its original audience is. It pays no attention to race, gender, or economic status, therefore, I don't view this book as a rule book but rather as a reference tool for those who may need guidance."
She then goes on to mention her approval of the chapter on Commonly Misused Words.
I agree wholeheartedly with Meagan of her criticisms about the limitations of Strunk and White. I just fail to realize how two, out-of-date authors can provide such an indepth (and relevant to our time) list of misused words.
I do believe that this book is a quality book to have handy to refer to. Meagan writes, "This book provides good information to look up things like this. The last chapter "An Approach to Style" offers some of the best advice in the book as to writing clearly and effectively". I think I agree with her statement. The chapter on style provides a very nice, clear framework in which the writer can work from. In contrast to Williams Style Toward Clarity and Grace,Strunk and White do not get caught up in endless examples. Sometimes a basic, simple idea is enough to help the writer on her quest for style.

Prompt Three

2004-10-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just as Strunk and White's Elements of Style provides useful elements, the same can be said of Joseph Williams' Style Toward Clarity and Grace. The chapter by Williams on clarity seems to take Strunk and White's thoughts on principles of composition further.
Williams lays out some simple ideas (rules) which, if followed, is almost sure to improve the clarity of all writing. Strunk and White say, "Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract."(21). Williams provides a clearer, more concrete picture. He writes, "Readers are likely to feel that they are reading prose that is clear and direct when: (1) the subjects of the sentences name the cast of characters, and (2) the verbs that go with those subjects name the crucial actions those characters are part of."(21). This advice, to me, is much easier to follow than Strunk and White's.
I also liked how Williams did not presume to know what words were "correct" to use, as did Strunk and White in their chapter on Words and Expressions Commonly Misused.
I believe Williams' book on Style is something less of a reference book, as is Strunk and White's, rather it demands a more discerning audience. An audience concerned with how to convey what they really want to say in a way that is effective. Strunk and White may be better suited for the reader/writer who is concerned with the "proper" way to write.

Prompt Two

2004-10-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

The EMU catalogue has many opportunities to try Joseph Williams' techniques of style. The passage I chose is taken from the beginning introductionary section.

“Founded in 1849 as a teacher-training school, Eastern Michigan University was not only the first such institution west of the Alleghenies, but also the state's first tax-supported co-educational college. Once composed of a single building, Eastern has evolved into a comprehensive educational institution--an institution firmly committed to shaping the way America learns.”

Eastern Michigan University was founded as a teacher-training school in 1849. It was the first education school west of the Alleghenies. Eastern was the state's first tax-supported co-educational college. It began as a single building and has now evolved into a comprehensive educational institution. Eastern Michigan University is firmly committed to shaping the way America learns.

I revised this passage mainly using Williams approach to cohesion. He recommends moving the object around in a sentence to "improve the flow"(48). Usining this idea, I began the revised sentences with the main object. Eastern, It and Eastern Michigan University. This helps the reader understand right away what the heck we're talking about.

Prompt One

2004-10-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

As a student who was at one time an English minor, I am amazed that I had never been introduced to The Elements of Style by Strunk and White before. The book has many useful elements which are to be applied to writing. It may provide as a good source book to refer to. General rules of writing are layed out in a simple way and allow for easy reference.
I found the Principles of Composition chapter to be very useful. While writing can be a very personal thing, it is good to have general guidlines. Writing clear and plain has always seemed important to me, so I really liked when Strunk and White said, "Prefer the specific to the general, the difinite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract."(21). That quote reminds me of advice Hemingway gives repeatedly. Long winded is not always better. Many times, what we need to say is best said simply.
While I like this book for it's use in the general reference of writing, I did not find much use to chapter four Words and Expressions Commonly Misused. I am aware that finding this chapter not useful and the chapter on Principles of Composition useful could seem contrary. After all, Sttrunk and White begin chapter four by stating, "the proper correction is likely to be not the replacement of one wrod or set of words by another but the replacement of vague generality by definite statement."(39). This DOES seem to indicate that we're just talking about being clear and percise. However, many many of the words and expressions stated as misused are normal in everyday speach. So when you are writing about everyday stuff, I think it benifits you to use "common man" english. This is even more true when writing diologue.

First blog

2004-09-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the first sentence.