03 March 2011

E. B. White on Imitation in Writing

"The imitative life continues long after the writer is secure in the language, for it is almost impossible to avoid imitating what one admires. Never imitate consciously, but do not worry about being an imitator; take pains instead to admire what is good."

E. B. White, in "An Approach to Style," which first appeared in the second edition (1959) of "The Elements of Style"

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