Review: The Elements of Style (1920) by William Strunk, Jr. — Last Part

Title: The Elements of Style (1920)

Author: William Strunk, Jr.

Pages: 52

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Howe

“This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.”

— Introductory of The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Style consists of seven chapters in total, with Chapter I being an introductory chapter and Chapter VII being an exercise. Being simple and easy to understand, this book is worth to read.

The electronic copy of this book can be acquired here.

The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

Synopsis

A few essentials, often violated by student or even instructor, yet it denotes a very important point in mastering English.

Following the rules of usage, there are three rules for the usage of the comma and one for the usage of the semicolon, in the belief that these four rules provide all the internal punctuation that is required by nineteen sentences out of twenty. 


Chapter VI

"The spelling of English words is not fixed and invariable, nor does it depend on any other authority than general agreement."

Spelling is one important thing which exist in English (and any other languages). This chapter discuss about some words that often misspelled because of confusing letters or the difference between the written word and the spoken word.

Moreover, this chapter also talking about rules or suggestion in which a word should be writing depending on the context and the usage of the word on said sentence.


Chapter VII

"What have we learned from this book?"

"Do we really understand what is written in this book?"

"Can we apply what we have learned from this book?"

The final chapter of this book, after learning a lot a rules and other essentials, it is time to check whether the reader really understand what is written in this book, thus this final chapter contains exercises on Chapter I and Chapter II as a media to enhance reader's understanding about what is written in this book.

A simple example, questions, there are a lot of sample sentences which can be used as exercise in this chapter.

It's​ Called an Experience for a Reason

Good day, fellas.

Today is probably the first time I write as a one of the writer in this blog using a personal approach to our reader –if there is any– rather than the lacks-of-interaction-post as usual.

Why? because today is special?

Yes, that is because today's post is a special post where I'll share my own experience of reading my friends' blog.

It started as a personal project in which our lecturer asked us to write a blog about what we've learned in class. Even though it started as an assignment and almost every single one of us never really run our own blog –as long as I know– but, it started to get better and better with each post I and my friends have made.

Everyone of us have our own style and method to write what we've learned in our blog, and reading my friends' post in the past few weeks help me to understand better about something we've learned since their own way to explain it give a better understanding in some parts that I might missed.

But, the most entertaining post I've read in my friends' blog is a post where they review a book. First, they help me to find the title of interesting book. Secondly, it helps me to find someone who has the same interests with me –according to the book they've reviewed; since you won't even bother to review a book you didn't put your interest in– and the most important part is, they give me a brief information about what is contained within the book without reading it.

Here are some quick spoilers of what I've found in my friends' blog about book review.

One of them review a book about insecurities. Personally, I think this is a good topic and we have to know, insecurity is a symptom that exists within everyone, whether they are aware or not. This book that my friend has reviewed gives us the informations needed to deal with insecurities. A good book in overall and it helps us to raise our awareness against insecurities.

Following this review is another review –from another friend– about personality. The book is talking about the type of personality and the way we overcome our weakness. The review that my friend has made is simple and clear, it gives us an insight about what is contained in the book. If you want to understand yourself better, read the book!

Oh, by the way the book's title is Personality Plus by Florence Littauer.

I put my favorite one for the last and this is the last segment in this post. So, this is my favorite –two– review(s).

There are two people who reviewed a Sherlock Holmes' book written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is what I meant by saying to find someone who has a same interest. These two books are about the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes and some of the cases he had solved. The review is simple, but helps me to find some interesting title about Sherlock's cases which is the best experience thus far.

I think that is enough for today post as I've shared my experience of reading other's blog and such.

Thank you.

Review: The Elements of Style (1920) by William Strunk, Jr. — Part 3

Title: The Elements of Style (1920)

Author: William Strunk, Jr.

Pages: 52

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Howe

“This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.”

— Introductory of The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Style consists of seven chapters in total, with Chapter I being an introductory chapter and Chapter VII being an exercise. Being simple and easy to understand, this book is worth to read.

The electronic copy of this book can be acquired here.

The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

Synopsis

A few essentials, often violated by student or even instructor, yet it denotes a very important point in mastering English.

Following the rules of usage, there are three rules for the usage of the comma and one for the usage of the semicolon, in the belief that these four rules provide all the internal punctuation that is required by nineteen sentences out of twenty. 


Chapter IV

A few matters of form, it is only a few but it affects the beauty of a masterpiece. The quick list about those few matters are headings, numerals, parentheses, quotations, references, syllabication and title. Moreover, a few matters in this chapter are explained further by the rules bound to them. The chapter itself covers more than just a mere explanation, but some suggestions on how to use those few matters correctly.


Chapter V

When writers write down their ideas, they often express some of their thought through words. However, the usage of words and expressions is commonly­ misused. Those words and expressions however, still serve as a tool to express what the writer meant even if those words and expressions are misused. This chapter explain how to use some common words and expressions in the correct way or form to avoid infelicity. It is also necessary to use the correct words or expressions to avoid redundancy and needless words, in addition to help the reader in understanding what the writer really meant by using those words and expressions.

While exploring this chapter, the first few part of this chapter discuss about how a word is mean to be and used in a text, moreover there is also a brief explanation as why this word cannot be used that way and so on.

Review: The Elements of Style (1920) by William Strunk, Jr. — Part 2

Title: The Elements of Style (1920)

Author: William Strunk, Jr.

Pages: 52

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Howe

“This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.”

— Introductory of The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Style consists of seven chapters in total, with Chapter I being an introductory chapter and Chapter VII being an exercise. Being simple and easy to understand, this book is worth to read.

The electronic copy of this book can be acquired here.

The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

Synopsis

A few essentials, often violated by student or even instructor, yet it denotes a very important point in mastering English.

Following the rules of usage, there are three rules for the usage of the comma and one for the usage of the semicolon, in the belief that these four rules provide all the internal punctuation that is required by nineteen sentences out of twenty. 


Chapter III

After knowing the elementary rules of usage in previous chapter (chapter II), this chapter contains the elementary principles of composition. This chapter tell us how to make a paragraph; one paragraph to each topic, so you can give a brief explanation about the topic in a single paragraph. It is also advisable to divide your topic into subdivision if the topic is quite complicated. To aid the reader, it is recommended to start a paragraph with topic sentence and end it in conformity with the beginning. The topic sentence comes at or near the beginning; and the following sentence explain or develop the statement; and the final sentence either  emphasizes or states some important detail.

This chapter also covers the usage of active voice. The usage of active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive. After telling the usage of active voice, this chapter also tell us to put statements in positive form to make our statements more definite. A good paragraph should use  a definite, specific and concrete language as well as omit needless words. Last but not least, avoid a succession of loose sentences, keep related words together and place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

Review: The Elements of Style (1920) by William Strunk, Jr. — Part 1

Title: The Elements of Style (1920)

Author: William Strunk, Jr.

Pages: 52

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Howe

“This book aims to give in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style. It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.”

— Introductory of The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Style consists of seven chapters in total, with Chapter I being an introductory chapter and Chapter VII being an exercise. Being simple and easy to understand, this book is worth to read.

The electronic copy of this book can be acquired here.

The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

Synopsis

A few essentials, often violated by student or even instructor, yet it denotes a very important point in mastering English.

Following the rules of usage, there are three rules for the usage of the comma and one for the usage of the semicolon, in the belief that these four rules provide all the internal punctuation that is required by nineteen sentences out of twenty. 

Chapter 1

This chapter covers the introductory written by the writer of the book. A quick and simple introduction, gives the reader a quick insight of what is written in the book. The writer also writes down some references in this chapter, these references can be used in conjunction with this book or further study.

Chapter II

Elementary Rules of Usage, the name of this chapter really said it all. The chapter covers the basic rules, a few essentials that often violated by us. Divided into 7 parts, the first part explains about the usage of possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s. Following this part is the usage of comma in a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction. The third part covers the usage of parenthetic expressions between commas and the next part is about the place of comma before a conjunction. The next two parts cover what you should not do and the last part explains about the usage of participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence. 

Message in a Bottle

Title: Message in a Bottle

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Pages: 410

Publisher: Warner

Published on: 1998, New York

Category: Romance Novel

Message in a Bottle is a 1998 romance novel, the second written by American author, Nicholas Sparks.

The story is about Theresa Osborne, a columnist whose faith in love has lost. Unbeknownst to her is a story about an undying love from one man to his late wife. Through a mysterious message in a bottle, they are brought together, for a purpose.

This is the tale of the deepest hopes, for a special someone, for an everlasting love.

Synopsis

Theresa Osborne, a newspaper columnist and mother of twelve-year-old son has lost faith in the dream of everlasting love. Three years after divorcing her cheating husband, Theresa went on a seaside vacation on Cape Cod where she finds a bottle, washed up on the shore. Inside the bottle is a letter from a man called Garrett.

“My dearest Catherine, I miss you my darling, as I always do, but today is particularly hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together…”

For Garrett, his message is the only way he knows to express his undying love for a woman he has lost. For Theresa, wary of romance since her husband shattered her trust, the message raises questions that intrigue her.

Who are Garrett and Catherine?

What is their story?

Piqued by epistolary constancy of the mysterious writer, Theresa embarks on a search that takes her to a sunlit coastal town of North Carolina, only to discovers the mysterious writer, Garrett has been mourning his late wife for three years, through the sea-borne message as his only solace.

Brought together by chance, or something more powerful, Theresa and Garret are people whose lives are about to collide for a purpose, in a tale that resonates with the deepest hopes for finding a special someone, and everlasting love.

Similar Yet Different

Education is one important thing that every person should acquire in order to become a "proper" human. Since a very young age, everyone start to learn, from the simplest to the most complicated one. However, each country has its own educational system and method which is unique to each other.

Japan use a 6-3-3 educational system with only the first 9 years are compulsory. Starting from kindergarten to high school or higher education. Japan's kindergarten aim to develop children body, mental and readiness to educational environment as well as building the children's character​. Once the children graduated from kindergarten, the children can continue to elementary school. One unique thing in Japan's educational system is there is no entrance test and final exam, except for high school or university. The focus of Japan's education is to develop student's character and mentality as well as physical and life ability, that is why Japan did not implemented entrance test and final exam in its compulsory 9 years of education.

Indonesia also use a similar 6-3-3 system with only 9 years are compulsory. There are kindergarten, elementary school, secondary school and high school as well as university. However, Indonesia taught its students with more subjects than the standard academical subjects, those subjects are nationality, religion, culture and local contents. The local contents vary from each province. In addition to more subjects, Indonesia also implemented an entrance test and final exam for each grade in all level of class. The final exam act as the key to continue to the next grade or level of school.

Although has some similarities, both Japan and Indonesia has its own implementation as well as the most effective methods to teach its students. The Japan's methods probably will not suitable​ for Indonesia's students and vice versa. That is why every country or even province has its own educational methods to suits​ its students' need and capability.

Men and Women

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, it is a famous metaphor used to differentiate between men and women. The difference is not mandatory rather it is used to say that "men will be men and women will be women, no point in arguing which is better, they are unique in their own way."

This uniqueness vary from a simple thing to the most complicated one. One of the most common difference is the way they talk. Men is straight forward, they will say something without unnecessary details, on the other hand women enjoy talking about these details. Another difference is self-esteem, although it does not appear physically, men has more self-esteem compared to women. For example, when looking themselves in the mirror, men will see an alpha male even though in reality they are far to be called "alpha", while women usually feel that they are not quite good albeit they are almost perfect.

In short, men and women are different in so many aspects, that is why they are called "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". Not to compare which is better nor whish is worse, but to tell that men has their own world and the sams can be said for women.

Hello, Ms. Kim?

Every country has its own naming tradition, in which that tradition determine how someone called or referred to. In most case, a person would carry their family name –either in their first or last name, or even middle– followed by their own name. This result in how someone referred to or called, especially in formal occasion, usually the usage of Mr./Ms./Mrs. followed by their family name is how they called. Another result from this tradition is when someone married. In some country, a woman would replace their maiden or given name with their husband family name. But, in other country, calling a married woman with their husband's name would result​ in offense; for example, South Korean woman retain their maiden name after marriage. Naming tradition is unique to each other. Some countries use a family name followed by given name, and other use the reverse version. There are also some countries which do not follow this pattern; Mexican woman who is married retain their name followed by their husband's name. In conclusion, it is advisable to ask someone especially from different country in how they want to be called.

A Name, A Meaning, An Identity

"A name, by definition is a word or a set of words by which a person is known, addressed, and referred to–but, is that the only meaning behind someone's name?" Words are used to define, describe or refer something, some have literal​ meaning while other used as a metaphor and so does a name. Name is not a mere words, it has meaning, hope and prayer within it–even more, name is a person's identity which given to them by their loved one. One should never forget about the true meaning behind their name, as it act as a motivation and a goal for them to fulfill the hope and prayer which tucked into their name. Name is unique to each other, a same name not merely has a same meaning, and vice versa. Name can be derived from a variety of things, events, cultures, languages and et cetera. For example, a name based on a flower language is often has a metaphorical meaning; the name Aster means love and mildness while the name Lily means pure and dignity. There are also some names that affected by cultures and languages, these names often have a literal meaning; the name Arka from Sanskrit language means blessed and the Arabian name, Azka means pure. Although it is common to use those references for naming our children, there are also several cases by which a name–first name, middle name, last name or even all of them–was taken from a spontaneous idea or completely random idea of their parents. In the case of my name –Zildjian Afa– my first name was taken from a brand of musical instrument with a same name; it has meaning? no — but it made my name whole, that is the point. Regardless of its origin, we are all have our desired or favorite name(s), for me it would be Luna and Selene because of its mysterious yet simple meaning and its relation with celestial aspect. Related to our desired name, our view to our name will change a bit, little by little until we reach a conclusion and actually a question, "Why my name isn't «my desired name»? instead my parents gave me this weird name?" and eventually the urge to change our name will pop out. It is considered as normal, and even there is a phase where we will hating our given name–usually because of trauma of being teased– and willingly want to change our name. But, there is actually no need to change our name, instead we should find beauty behind our name, because it was our identity since we were born. "It were not you who made your name. But it was your name which made you to became a person you really are today."