The Elements of Style is the definitive text and classic manual on the principles of English language read by millions of readers. The 18 main topics are organized under the headings, "Elementary Rules of Usage," "Elementary Principles of Composition," "A Few Matters of Form," "Words and Expressions Commonly Misused," and "Words Often Misspelled."

Quotes on usage and composition from this book include the oft heard phrases, "Omit needless words," and "Use the active voice."

This is the first edition from 1918 created by Strunk alone, before Strunk's revision and reprinting in 1920, and before the revised editions by E.B. White in 1959 and forward.