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Question

In academic writing, there is a marked tendency to reify people , that is, to treat them as though they were only impersonal objects and best described by statistics and charts. This is precisely the difference between studies of human behavior in a novel and in a book on sociology—— with more insight often in the novel.

Could you tell me what the writer means in the last sentence? Does he want to imply that novel is more insightful or a book on sociology?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

rpshCould you tell me what the writer means in the last sentence? Does he want to imply that a novel is more insightful or a book on sociology?

A novel. That's exactly what he says: ... more insight ... in the novel.

But note that he does not say always; he says often.

CJ

Rpsh · Answer

Got it. So I can say “——”this punctuation doesn't always mean that the content behind it is the complement to the preceding word. Just like the sentences I quoted. Right?

CalifJim · Answer

rpshdoesn't always mean that the content behind it is the complement to the preceding word

Yes, that's right. I suspect it usually is not the complement.

CJ

Clive · Answer

When I first read your sentence, I didn't even realize that the long line was intended to be a dash. I thought it was meant to indicate that a word was missing, as in a class exercise.

Permit me to rant.

Dashes are sometimes a way that a writer says '**** it, I won't bother to express my meaning clearly. I'll just let the reader try to figure out what I mean.'

Rpsh · Answer

Got it, thank you!

Rpsh · Answer

Haha, indeed. But sometimes, I'll regard it as indication of the varied writing style of the writer. Thank you so much!

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