"Well that's sculpture, making a '74 Toyota look like a '63 Corvette, only I didn't think of it that way...I was doing good work, and I was making good money."
What is the purpose of the ellipsis (...)?
I have it down to two possible answers: A. to prepare the reader for a change in topic and B. to show Ramirez's pride in discussing his work.
I liked A,but I had a problem with the last part, "a change in topic" which would require a new paragraph, I thought. Therefore I thought B was the correct answer.
An ellipsis is ordinarily used to show that some words have been left out of a quotation.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/ellipsis.htm
the answer is a because the ellipsis is to prepare the reader for a change in topic.
The purpose of the ellipsis (...) in this context is to indicate a pause or hesitation in speech. It is used to show that the speaker is trailing off or leaving something unsaid, and it suggests that there is more to the thought or idea that is not being explicitly mentioned.
In your analysis, option B suggests that the ellipsis is used to display Ramirez's pride in discussing his work. While this interpretation could be valid based on the context, it is also important to consider that ellipses are often used to create a sense of suspense or anticipation. In this case, Ramirez may be pausing because he is about to reveal something unexpected or significant.
Regarding option A, the ellipsis can indeed be used to prepare the reader for a change in topic, but it does not necessarily require a new paragraph. It can simply imply a shift in focus or a transition to a related subject within the same paragraph.
Ultimately, the purpose of the ellipsis can have multiple interpretations, and the correct answer depends on the specific context and the author's intention. It is always important to consider the surrounding text and the overall tone to make an accurate analysis.