Part of a book club a few years back, I read and discussed a book that half the group thought read like a college paper. They were turned-off, their attention applied to structure over the content. This skewed the subsequent discussion away from the author’s arguments towards the monotonous tone of the book. It was a well-reasoned and thoughtful thesis, but it did not capture the attention of at least half of us. How do you prevent that in your own writing?

Improving your ability to write is difficult; not only must your ideas be logical, but you must be engaged to keep an audience. Feedback is essential but difficult to obtain, particularly if you are a halfway decent writer.

“It’s a good essay but kinda boring.”

“Thanks,” you say, “Any ideas to liven it up?”

“Uhhhh…no.”

Reflective practice is something we can use to self-develop and this book gave me a few basics to apply. In less than 100 pages, Strunk and White give eleven rules of usage, eleven principles of composition, some thoughts on the form, pitfalls of expression, and an approach to a writing style.

The elements of usage cover important mechanics of grammar-focused on sentence structure. Many of the elements are not new and upon introspection, are things I am aware of in my writing. A few reminders were in the store, nevertheless. I forgot what an appositive was or why to use a dash in a sentence. Tense is now something I think about deliberately while I write instead of listening for it during the editing phase. This section refreshed my memory of knowledge lost from decades of using Microsoft Word.

While the first 13-pages dwell on sentence structure, the principles of composition relate more directly to the art of writing. Again, there is nothing here not learned in high school except that exceptions exist for every principle. Have an outline but do not tie yourself to it. Use the active voice except when the action is more important than the actor. Do not use split infinitives unless it adds clarity. Express ideas in a similar form but do not use the same sentence structure over and over; watch for that singsong effect of mechanical symmetry.

The composition makes up the paragraph, but form guides the structure which will vary depending upon the style you use. APA is different than Chicago for example. If you don’t have a go-to, Strunk and White give you a shortlist to consider.

After form, the writers shift to the misuse of words and expression. This section helps bring clarity by replacing vague words with the concrete. Most understand the difference between effect and affect but do you remember the difference between compare and contrast? That is a stronger word than which. The ball that, refers to something concrete while the ball which, is somewhat weaker. Further describes conceptual distance while farther defines actual measurable distance. The list is long and not something you can memorize, but it is a useful resource. I used it to look up the difference between however and nevertheless while writing this.

The last section is a conversation about developing a writing style which I took as how you want the reader to perceive your writing. Do you want to be read as honest, funny, or considerate? Strunk and White give 21 different points to consider, but first, decide who are you writing for and what you aim to achieve. With that answered, you can focus on being clear, concise, and persuasive. You can keep a similar form but avoid mechanical symmetry. What else? Be purposeful about where you place your emphasis. Revise and rewrite. Be specific, definite, and concrete. For example, write rifle instead of weapon or write M4 instead of rifle; it depends on the audience. There are many other bits of knowledge in the last section that I try to practice in my writing. I am not sure what style will emerge, but I know I am more thoughtful in my approach.

Elements of Style is a worthy read and its greatest piece of advice to remember is this: writing is about the reader. Whatever keeps the reader’s attention, makes it clear, and best conveys the message is your aim – even if you break established conventions or rules.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher L’Heureux is learning to write and an Armor Officer currently assigned as an instructor at the School of Command Preparation. He commanded 2d Squadron, 2d US Cavalry in Vilseck, Germany.