642 Things to Write About by the San Francisco Writers' Grotto
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For Him / Her / Kids
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White — the pocket guide every writer is told to read
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White (Fourth Edition, Paperback)
Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose
Perfect for
- Students and new writers
- Bloggers
- Tightening prose
- Under $15
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Price: $11.08
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- Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
- Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
- Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype
Why this gift works
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is William Strunk Jr.'s classic guide to clear English prose, revised by E. B. White. The Fourth Edition from Pearson adds a foreword by Roger Angell and keeps the rules of usage, principles of composition, notes on form and list of commonly misused words, in a pocket-size paperback of about 128 pages.
It is the book writing teachers have handed out for generations. For a student, blogger or aspiring author, it is a small gift that sits on the desk for years.
Who is this gift for?
Great for
- Students
- Aspiring authors
- Bloggers and newsletter writers
Think twice if
- They already own it
- They want a full grammar guide
The catch
It is a short style primer, not a full grammar reference; the fourth edition dates from 2000, so it says nothing about online writing; many writers already own it; and it is not the illustrated edition.
Skip for a seasoned writer who owns a copy.
Key specs
| Authors | William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White |
|---|---|
| Edition | Fourth, foreword by Roger Angell |
| Format | Paperback, about 128 pages |
| Size | 4.5 x 7.1 in |
| ISBN-13 | 9780205309023 |
| Publisher | Pearson |
Worth knowing before you buy
- The illustrated edition is a separate book.
- Pair it with a notebook.
Why we like it
- Short and memorable
- A true classic
- Pocket size
- Inexpensive
What to look for in a book on writing
- Purpose. A style guide sharpens prose; a craft book inspires.
- Length. Short guides get reread.
- Edition. Check the edition and ISBN.
Questions people ask
The Fourth Edition, with a foreword by Roger Angell.
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