Strunk and White: Parentheses and misused phrases

Wrapping up our series on the influential writing gurus’ centennial, we delve into punctuation and the perplexing persistence of purple prose.

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As we conclude our centennial appreciation of William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, let’s ponder parentheses and muse about misuses and misspellings.

One would be hard-pressed to find another 100-year-old writing manual that retains the influence of Strunk and White’s “The Elements of Style.”

This year we have taken an occasional look at the little book, and we are not alone in finding much to appreciate in the duo’s sage advice. In comments on my stories, many readers have recalled how the book helped clarify their prose.

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