Quote

Every writer, by the way he uses the language, reveals something of his spirit, his habits, his capacities, his bias....Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy, and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able.

William Strunk, Jr.

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William Strunk, Jr.
Age: 77 †
Born: 1869
Born: July 1
Died: 1946
Died: September 26
Professor
Writer
Cincinnati
Ohio
Dollar
Use
Ten
Uses
Elaborate
Spirit
Dollars
Cute
Handy
Able
Capacity
Habits
Capacities
Every
Habit
Center
Pretentious
Something
Writer
Twenty
Bias
Way
Ready
Twenties
Reveals
Word
Tempted
Language
Avoid

More quotes by William Strunk, Jr.

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None are so fallible as those who are sure they're right.
William Strunk, Jr.
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If you use a colloquialism or a slang word or phrase, simply use it do not draw attention to it by enclosing it in quotation marks. To do so is to put on airs, as though you were inviting the reader to join you in a select society of those who know better.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Vigorous writing is concise.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Rewrite and revise. Do not be afraid to seize what you have and cut it to ribbons ... Good writing means good revising.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.
William Strunk, Jr.
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The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.
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Avoid fancy words....If you admire fancy words, if every sky is beauteous, every blonde curvaceous, every intelligent child prodigious, if you are tickled by discombobulate, you will have bad time Reminder 14.
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Opinions scattered indiscriminately about leave the mark of egotism.
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The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity.
William Strunk, Jr.
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If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!
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It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.
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The adjective hasn't been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Instead of announcing what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
William Strunk, Jr.
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To acquire style, begin by affecting none.
William Strunk, Jr.
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Never call a stomach a tummy without good reason.
William Strunk, Jr.
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A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.
William Strunk, Jr.
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A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
William Strunk, Jr.
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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.
William Strunk, Jr.
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To air one's views gratuitously, is to imply that the demand for them is brisk.
William Strunk, Jr.