A book originally written by William Strunk Jr. and later revised by E. B. White. Anyone who does any serious writing should read this book. It's small, and has good advice, such as "Omit needless words", "Use definite, specific, concrete language", and "Avoid fancy words".

Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.--William Strunk Jr.

Jeez, first published in 1918 by Ithaca, N.Y. publisher W.P. Humphrey, it's full of fun sexist language and other fine things. I do know the person responsible for revising and putting out the Third Edition, but that's not out yet and under copyright. Of course, this text is no replacement for a true usage dictionary and grammar handbook, yet it'll do.

Noded here for your pleasure:

Elements of Style Introduction
Elementary Rules of Usage
Elementary Principles of Composition
A Few Matters of Form
Words and Expressions Commonly Misused
Commonly Misspelled Words (the original is Words Commonly Misspelled, but I changed this for better integration)

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