Elements of Style for Screenwriters: The Essential Manual for Writers of Screenplays

by Paul M. Argentini

In the grand tradition of Strunk and White's Elements of Style , Paul Argentini presents an essential reference masterpiece in screenwriting. He provides clear and concise principles of screenplay formatting structure, as well as stylistic advice. Argentini explains how to design and format manuscripts to impress any film school professor, story editor, agent, producer or studio executive. No book in shorter space, with fewer words, will help screenwriters more than this persistent volume.

Elements of Style for Screenwriters

·         A to Z listing of format terms and examples
·         Incorporates changes in acceptable screenplay format submissions
·         Includes a special section on stage play formatting
·         Complete listing of literary agencies that represent screenwriters

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Film, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Sunbury Press and Random House best-selling author Paul Argentini (1926-2016) passed away on April 24, 2016. A resident of Venice, Florida, Paul was a World War II veteran Argentini_smwho was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, and was exposed to ionizing radiation at Nagasaki, Japan. He was predeceased, in 2014, by the love of his life, wife Vera Argentini. The two teamed up for Paul’s most popular Sunbury Press title “A Treatise: The Art of Casting a Fly” (2012). Vera provided the very accurate pencil drawings of fish and flies while Paul wrote the how-to narrative.

Paul’s best-selling book published by Random House was Elements of Style for Screenwriters: The Essential Manual for Writers of Screenplays. He also co-authored, with Robert Boland, MUSICALS! Directing School and Community Theatre.

Paul was presented with the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals highest medal for crossing ice to rescue a German Shepherd that had fallen through. Paul was a chef, specializing in home-made pasta dishes, and a baker with reknown carrot and Bronx cheesecakes. He was also a cabinetmaker specializing in Queen Anne and Shaker case pieces, jazz drummer and a teacher of fly-casting. His paintings, sculptures, and photographs have been in juried art shows. He and Vera had two daughters, Lisa and Mona.

Reviews

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this for class.
it is 25yo and spends most of it’s time describing formatting that free computer programs can take care of. also just terrible to read cover-to-cover def a reference book but i think i’ll stick to more recently updated sources online

p.s. his stock character name for examples is “throckmorton t. throckmorton” (presumably the middle initial is also short for throckmorton, but we’ll never know for sure)

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although outdated, useful and easy to navigate.

[Hilary Ledford · Rating 2 out of 5]

ELEMENTS OF STYLE FOR SCREENWRITERS: The rating might be on me for not fully understanding the format of the book before purchasing. The highlight for me was the annotated screenplay pages, showing the formatting requirements with a real-life example. The rest of the book is essentially a glossary of terms in screenwriting and playwriting. Some of the definitions will be useful in my upcoming screenwriting course and if you're also working with stage plays, you may find it more useful than I did. 2.5☆

[Sezin Koehler · Rating 1 out of 5]

In no way as useful as its predecessor, Strunk & White's "Elements of Style." In fact, this book could easily discourage a person from ever writing a screenplay, with its convoluted instructions and unsearchable content. Furthermore, these days a screenplay must be churned through screenwriting software in order for it to be fit for submission or even to work with for a director. Once I abandoned this book it was much easier to write.

[Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not spectacular, but a decent reference to have on hand none the less.

[J.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this book a must-have for any beginning screenwriter who isn't completely familiar with the screenplay formatting process. I still refer to it myself occasionally, it's that useful!

[MarkoPDX · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really glad I stumbled onto this book. It is an excellent resource for the formatting and style of a screenplay, a topic which other screenwriting books only seem to gloss over

[Dionna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential reference book for all screenwriters. Short and succinct. Learn and use these basic style elements or be pegged a novice.