Strunk famously advocates for brevity and directness in writing. He emphasizes the importance of cutting out unnecessary words, avoiding jargon and overly complex sentence structures. 'Omit needless words!' is a mantra throughout the book, urging writers to express themselves with precision and impact.

The book stresses the power of active voice in creating dynamic and engaging writing. Strunk encourages writers to choose strong, specific verbs that drive the action of their sentences, avoiding passive constructions that can make writing feel weak and indirect.

While 'The Elements of Style' does offer specific grammatical rules and stylistic guidelines, its enduring value lies in its emphasis on broader principles of good writing. Strunk stresses the importance of consistency, clarity of thought, and a focus on the reader's understanding. These overarching principles empower writers to make informed choices that elevate their prose beyond mere adherence to rigid rules.