THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, 2025

Reliable news coverage has never been more important than it is now. Journalists must remain vigilant and rigorous in the face of a second Trump Administration. To help them do so, we are releasing an updated version of Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style.” Please refer to the following examples when writing and reporting, for as long as that’s still allowed.

- BY ELI GROBER

Use the serial comma.

In a series of three or more terms, add a comma after each term except the last. For instance:

He held office from 2017 to 2021, from 2025 to 2029, and then as a reanimated, disembodied head from 2029 to 2061.

Put statements in positive form.

Use the word “not” as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion. This sentence:

He did not think that elections were necessary.

would be better stated as:

He thought that elections were unnecessary.

Link two thoughts with a semicolon.

In other words, use a semicolon to join independent clauses. For example:

He’s not even the real President; the other, even weirder billionaire seems to be in charge.

Use commas to explain or clarify a sentence.