title: The Elements of Style
        by: William Strunk + E.B. White
 publisher: Macmillan Publishing 1979 
  subjects: writing, language, English
     other: 92 pages, index, 3rd edition, A$22.00
   summary: handy hints on writing; a classic

     title: Style Manual
          : For Authors, Editors and Printers
 publisher: Australian Government Publishing Service 1994
  subjects: writing, language, English
     other: 468 pages, glossary, bibliography, index, A$24.95
   summary: surprisingly readable

While both their titles include "style", Strunk and White's classic
_Elements of Style_ deals solely with style in the narrow sense, while
the AGPS (Australian Government Printing Service) _Style Manual_ is
a style manual in the technical sense and covers a much wider range
of material.

_The Elements of Style_ is deservedly a classic, and I would like to
be able to recommend it as compulsory reading for all school students.
Unfortunately it is not suitable as such because it assumes a prior
knowledge of basic grammar - at least the difference between nouns
and adjectives, if not the meaning of "gerund" or "appositive".
It gives advice on grammar, word choice, appropriate use of different
syntactical constructions and similar topics.  It is liberally
illustrated with examples, with correct and incorrect usage in
parallel, and has a whole section on common mistakes.  Clearly and
entertainingly written, _The Elements of Style_ is recommended to
anyone who is seriously interested in writing English.

While they contain some similar material, technical manuals like the
AGPS _Style Manual_ also contain a lot more: advice on abbreviations,
titles, punctuation, hyphenation and non-discriminatory language is
coupled with information on such a diverse range of topics as editing,
book-binding, typesetting, proofreading, indexing, illustrating
and publishing.  The AGPS manual is surprisingly readable for such
a compendium.  (I actually read it from beginning to end, something I
baulked at doing with the rather larger _Chicago Manual of Style_)
It should be pointed out that much of the material it contains
is specific to Australia, so it would only be the style manual
of choice for those working inside Australia or writing about it.
Obviously anyone involved in the production of books should keep a
style manual handy, but I think most book-lovers would find something 
to interest them therein.

--

%T	The Elements of Style
%A	William Strunk
%A	E.B. White
%I	Macmillan Publishing
%C	New York
%D	1979
%O	hardcover, index, 3rd edition, A$22.00
%G	ISBN 0-02-418190-0
%P	xvii,92pp
%K	writing, language, English

%T	Style Manual 
%S	For Authors, Editors and Printers
%I	Australian Government Publishing Service
%C	Canberra
%D	1994
%O	paperback, appendices, glossary, bibliography, index, A$24.95
%G	ISBN 0-644-29771-9
%P	xi,468pp
%K	writing, language, English

Danny Yee (danny@cs.su.oz.au)
30 June 1994