Elements of Style is an excellent place to start. Yes, the academics and pros will debate its advice, as they do any "authority" (same thing with William Zinss

Elements of Style is an excellent place to start. Yes, the academics and pros will debate its advice, as they do any "authority" (same thing with William Zinsser, author of "On Writing Well," who passed away recently), but for people who come from a non-writing background it provides a succinct and clear starting guide. As your skills improve so can your rules change. For that it is a very good work.