Strunk and White

When I first picked up The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, I didn’t know it would become one of the most influential books in my journey to become a better writer. The simplicity of their lessons resonated deeply with me, especially during those early years of isolation. I realized that mastering the basics could transform my ability to connect with others and share my story, even from the confines of a prison cell.

Here are some key lessons I learned from The Elements of Style, and how I applied them to develop my writing skills:

1. Omit Needless Words
   Strunk and White emphasized the importance of brevity and clarity. They taught that good writing isn’t about flowery language or unnecessary details—it’s about expressing ideas with precision. One of their most memorable lessons was:
   
   “Vigorous writing is concise.”
   
   This principle challenged me to eliminate redundancy. For example, instead of writing, “I am currently in the process of learning how to write,” I learned to write, “I am learning to write.” By practicing this rule, I made my sentences tighter and my writing more effective.
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2. Use Active Voice
   One of the most transformative lessons was the power of the active voice. Strunk and White taught me to write sentences where the subject performs the action, rather than being acted upon.
   
   For instance, I changed my habit of writing, “The book was read by me,” to “I read the book.” The active voice gave my writing strength and urgency, which helped me convey my thoughts more assertively.
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3. Write with Specificity
   The book highlighted the importance of being specific rather than vague. Strunk and White explained that clear, concrete details make writing more engaging. They advised avoiding generalities like “things” or “stuff,” and instead choosing words that paint vivid pictures.
   
   For example, I learned to replace a sentence like, “I felt happy,” with, “I felt a surge of joy, as if I had conquered a mountain.” This practice helped me create more evocative and relatable narratives.
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4. Keep Paragraphs Unified
   Strunk and White stressed the importance of maintaining unity in paragraphs. Each paragraph, they taught, should focus on a single idea, with every sentence supporting that idea.
   
   Applying this principle forced me to structure my thoughts logically. When I wrote about my prison experiences, I ensured each paragraph focused on one theme—whether it was loneliness, discipline, or personal growth—so that my writing would resonate more deeply with readers.
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5. Place Emphasis at the End
   Another lesson that reshaped my writing was their advice to place the most important idea at the end of a sentence. This technique creates a lasting impression.
   
   For example, instead of writing, “The book taught me many lessons, but the most important was clarity,” I learned to write, “Clarity was the most important lesson the book taught me.”
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6. Avoid Fancy Language
   Strunk and White reminded me that simplicity is key. They wrote:
   
   “Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready, and able.”
   
   This advice encouraged me to communicate clearly and avoid pretentious language. I realized that writing isn’t about showing off a large vocabulary—it’s about connecting with readers.
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7. Revise Relentlessly
   Through Strunk and White, I learned the value of revision. First drafts are rarely perfect, and even the best writers refine their work repeatedly. I adopted this practice, revisiting my writing to tighten sentences, clarify ideas, and correct errors. The discipline of revision taught me patience and persistence.

Reflection

The lessons I learned from The Elements of Style became my foundation for writing, enabling me to reach beyond prison walls. Every day, I practiced their principles, forcing myself to write 1,000 words—no matter how poorly they started. Over time, this discipline transformed me into a more effective communicator.

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