This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most popular style guides, William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's The Elements of Style. One of the most prevailingly popular guides on grammar style and usage, The Elements of Style has managed to sell over 10 million copies since its initial publication in 1959.
The Enduring Popularity of The Elements of Style
It quickly becomes clear upon first picking up a copy of The Elements of Style why it has endured lasting popularity and relevance. Simply put the guide is concise, complete and easily accessible by a wide range of people. With the average edition barely surpassing 100 pages, the guide covers all the basics of the English language in a way that is always informative and never overdone, and has an average retail price of under $10 (U.S.).
Variations on the Original Elements of Style
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then The Elements of Style has been well imitated over the past fifty years, amassing many variations of the original. Here are a brief look at some of the imitators:
- The Elements of Style Illustrated Edition by Strunk and White. Somewhere along the line publishers must have decided that the original Elements of Style was lacking something, specifically illustrations, to go along with the rules of grammar and usage. For this reason, publishers decided upon releasing an illustrated version of the classic. While all of the original content is still present in this version, there are also colorful illustrations by Maira Kalman which add to the book in terms of offering visual examples and an added whimsical feel to the guide.
- The Elephants of Style: A Trunkload of Tips on the Big Issues and Grey Areas of Contemporary American English by Bill Walsh. Walsh gives The Elements of Style an uplifting and modern face lift, by incorporating heaping doses of humor, snark and wit into his Elephants of Style. An enjoyable read that anyone can laugh and learn from at the same time.
The Special 50th Edition Release of The Elements of Style
Longman Publishers has released a 50th Anniversary Edition to coincide with the book's monumental milestone. The book itself contains all the same content as the most recent, fourth edition, but also includes some extras for those looking to add a collector's piece to their bookshelf. The book is elegantly bound and contains an overview of its history from 1959 to 2009, along with testimonials from writers who have fallen in love with this small gem. The Elements of Style: 50th Anniversary Edition retails for under $20 (U.S.) and would make a great gift for any aspiring writer, student or seasoned pro.
While there are other more comprehensive and modern style guides available, The Elements of Style still has a solid place on the reference shelf of many people today.
Lisa Rufle - If I had to describe myself in one word, it would easily be: curious. So as a natural extension of my curiosity, reading is my life's ...
