Language manuals of style

[Kent Wang]

I find them engrossing to read. Is that unusual? My current favourite is The Times and I agree with nearly all of its prescriptions.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

I find them engrossing to read. Is that unusual?

My current favourite is The Times and I agree with nearly all of its prescriptions.

Not unusual at all. I am as equally intrigued with language usage. You might also find this publication of interest:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fowlers-Mode...e=UTF8&s=books

 

[Thomas]

On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. A true classic, engaging and well-written (What are the odds???). Has helped me with all facets of communication, including (especially) public speaking.

Well-worth it at twice the cover price.

 

[Kent Wang]

There are descriptive guides that focus on describing which usages are used, and then there are prescriptive guides that actively prescribe which usages should be used. Fowler's is one of the more prescriptive ones. Its comment on the split infinitive is particularly noteworthy:

The English-speaking world may be divided into (1) those who neither know nor care what a split infinitive is; (2) those who do not know, but care very much; (3) those who know and condemn; (4) those who know and approve; and (5) those who know and distinguish.

The 'split' infinitive has taken such hold upon the consciences of journalists that, instead of warning the novice against splitting his infinitives, we must warn him against the curious superstition that the splitting or not splitting makes the difference between a good and a bad writer.

 

[Mentos]

If you're ever interested in rules of style for lawyers, Brian Garner's books are great (and useful, for all the shysters out there).

 

[LabelKing]

I'm going to seek out something slightly outdated, perhaps from the '30s up until the '60s, and utilize it to full and fruitful effect.

 

[Kent Wang]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I'm going to seek out something slightly out-dated, perhaps from the '30s up until the '60s, and utilize it to full and fruit-ful effect.
I have corrected your post. The writings of T. Herman Zweibel may interest you.

 

[Nantucket Red]

The Elements of Style by Strunk.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

The Elements of Style by Strunk.
Strunk is often cited as the 'go to guy' in these matters, not unreasonably.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

I have corrected your post.

The writings of T. Herman Zweibel may interest you.
I used to hyphenate a lot of compound words, but not so much anymore.

I also like using diaeresis marks.

 

[DNW]

No one should be allowed to graduate highschool without having read Strunk's. I found Garner's The Elements of Legal Style and Legal Writing in Plain English quite useful for legal writing. Effective Writing by Bruce Ross-Larson is very effective for paper, memo type writings.

 

[Mr. Checks]

I didn't know there was a writing guide other than Strunk & White. I (seemingly by myself...) still follow Rule #1: "Prince Charles's horse."

+1 on Garner (read the great entry for "whom"), both his books and seminars.