Question

What does the word something refer to in these line

Answer 1

Explanation:

Ah, I see. "lines" in this case is different to the meaning you understand (although I think the origin of the idiom "along these lines", which is the meaning you're after, is connected). If you think of the department as having a line of fiction writers facing a line of systemic scholars, these are the "lines" that the department is split by (a line of similar types). Definition of "Along these lines". But also see the idiom linked above. – jaredlt May 18 '14 at 19:00 

Ah, I see. "lines" in this case is different to the meaning you understand (although I think the origin of the idiom "along these lines", which is the meaning you're after, is connected). If you think of the department as having a line of fiction writers facing a line of systemic scholars, these are the "lines" that the department is split by (a line of similar types). Definition of "Along these lines". But also see the idiom linked above. – jaredlt May 18 '14 at 19:00 I check the reference your gave, but I think that department along these lines should means ** department of similar type**? – Rui May 19 '14 at 20:21