Final answer:
Rusty's statement is an (d) expression of surprise at an unexpectedly long sentence. Effective sentence editing involves clarity and conciseness but must account for stylistic choices relevant to the genre or historical context. Periodic sentences exemplify such stylistic choices, often found in classical literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the sentence 'Wow, that's like the longest sentence you've ever made!' we interpret this as an expression of surprise. It isn't just a comment on the verbosity of the sentence, nor simple praise for lengthiness; it's a genuine reaction to an unexpected and notably lengthy sentence. The reaction could also signify some level of amazement at a conversation if said conversation typically features shorter utterances.
The example sentence provided functions as a periodic sentence, which is often composed of multiple clauses connected by various connectors like commas and semicolons. Editing for more effective sentences may include reducing wordiness, clarifying ambiguous references, and merging repetitive or choppy sentences for better flow. In cases such as renaissance literature, however, the ornate language and complex sentence structure is a characteristic of the genre, demonstrating a stylistic choice rather than a necessity for edits towards conciseness.
Sentences like that seen in the example 'Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly' from Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' showcase elaborate stylistic choices that, while potentially testing a modern reader's patience, were typical and admired in their historical context.