What I Learned from the Author of Charlotte’s Web – Part 2

by Sandra Merville Hart

Last month we talked about the author of Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White, and the influence of his writing professor, William Strunk Jr.

Strunk devised and White revised twenty-two Elementary Rules of Usage. The whole list deserves an author’s attention but this article focuses on three rules that most altered my writing.

A writer must first select a design for the piece and adhere to it. I had written several books (unpublished) and many articles before reading this advice. According to White, effective writing follows the author’s thoughts but perhaps not in the same order. Deliberate planning precedes writing.

For instance, certain forms of poetry follow a predetermined frame, but most writings are flexible. Considering the shape of the finished work allows greater chances for success. The intended audience and the message affect this decision.

Make positive statements. This second rule underscored one of my weaknesses that I’ve worked to correct. Avoid indefinite language. Commit to your descriptions.

Writing not very often hesitant to speak is wordy and better stated as usually spoke his mind.

Another part of this second rule is to express negatives positively. Did not go becomes stayed. Not happy is sad. Is your character a little mad or is he frustrated?

A third rule from White deals with loose sentences. These are two clauses joined by a conjunction, common in unskilled writers. His advice is to avoid a string of this type of sentence.

Connectors such as and, but, or which occasionally are fine. A paragraph filled with loose sentences grows monotonous.

Rework these paragraphs. White suggests rewriting enough sentences to relieve the repetitive feel. Replace them with simple sentences. Rewrite entire sentences. Join two clauses with a semicolon. Choose the best way to remain true to the thought.

When I originally read this book about five years ago, I began to apply as many of White’s rules as feasible to a recently completed draft. I discovered the best way to utilize the rules was to take them one at a time.

I hate to mention how many loose sentences were in my manuscript. For someone so unfamiliar with the term I certainly excelled at writing them. Realizing that using too many connectives was considered easy, unskilled writing, I rewrote many sentences to improve the work.

Then I went on to another rule that exposed my weaknesses and began the process all over again.

Though the continuous editing required more time and effort than anticipated, working through each rule solidified the learning impact. Whether or not my manuscript was good at the end of this process, hard work improved it.

This introduction of three of the rules simply scratched the surface of the gems found in The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Next month we will talk about other helpful writing tips from this book. Stay tuned!