<p>(For all) the book's length, the narrative is (brisk, but only) as much background is included (as is needed) to enable the reader to make (sense of) a complex story.
Answer is brisk, but only... Can anyone explain this?</p>
<p>Shouldn't the but be an and?</p>
<p>Or: For all the book's length, the narrative is brisk, as only as much background....</p>
<p>With the "but" it contradicts the intro "for all the book's length," when it's actually continuing it.</p>
<p>It should be "over all."</p>
<p>tkm256's reasoning is correct: there should be no contradiction.
I would break this sentence in two, replacing "brisk, but only" with
"brisk; only" (even though semicolons are generally frowned upon in essays)
or "brisk. Only".</p>
<p>Are you sure semicolons are generally frowned upon in SAT essays, gcf?</p>
<p>hmm ya i think your right wit the idea of breaking the sentence into 2. QUick question, when are you suppost to break a sentence into two (like how do you know when to?)</p>
<p>Flipsta_G, nystudent23 -</p>
<p>No absolute statement is absolutuly correct.
I should change in post #5 "semicolons are generally frowned upon in essays" to "semicolons might be frowned upon in essays".
There are certain situations when the use of a semicolon is justified.
PR Grammar Smart clearly explains those.</p>
<p>My "warning" was actually about writing very long sentences, which could lead to overusing semicolons. Essay readers have about a minute per essay; struggling through a paragraph long sentences will not induce them to give you a good grade. (Did you notice the semicolon? It was natural here). Finding the right balance between long and short sentences should be based on one criteria: is your essay easily understood?
In many cases replacing a semicolon with a period may improve the flow of writing.
When can you do that ("break a sentence into two")?
-When two COMPLETE statements are separated by the semicolon. In other words, each part can exist as a meaningful independent sentence.
From "Punctuate It Right!" (ISBN 0064610454): "In actual practice, some writers use semicolons where others use periods. In theory, the use of semicolons is justified only when the relationship between clauses is fairly close; if it is not, a period is called for."</p>
<p>A couple more useful books.
1. "Writing Skills Handbook", ISBN 0395868114. Very brief and includes both grammar and papers/essays writing topics.
2. A thick but very well written book that will take you far: "The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers", ISBN 0673985504.</p>