New York - October 24, 2005

For a Good Clause

The New “Elements of Style”

Yeah, yeah. You read it in high school. And since then you’ve written a bazillion cover letters, sales pitches, and presentations. Your screenplay’s in development, your byline’s a regular in the paper of record.

You are The Elements of Style.

But like your dog-eared copy of Lady Chatterly, the Strunk and White primer is a classic worth revisiting.

Especially when the refresher course comes repackaged in a stunning, playful new edition, complete with sexy, red cloth binding; winsome design; and the gorgeous, hilarious, Thurber-meets-Matisse illustrations by the brilliant Maira Kalman, whose oeuvre includes children’s books, textile design for Kate Spade and Isaac Mizrahi, and New Yorker covers.

And then there’s the elegant, ingenious advice for writers. “Do not be tempted by a $20 word when there is a ten-center handy.” “Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand.” “It is seldom advisable to tell all.”

As for Grammar 101, you’ll brush up on nonrestrictive modifiers, modal auxiliaries, and correlative expressions. (Or, admit that you have no idea what those things are and start fresh.)

Spring for a copy for your personal collection. Go ahead — expense it.

After all, good style is timeless. Not to mention priceless.

Available at your local bookstore or online at amazon.com.