Rhetorical devices

Allusions and direct references 

Allusions are created when the writer makes a reference, often indirectly, to another person or event.

The article “Every race, colour, nation and religion on earth” by Leo Benedictus mentions violent episodes of Britain’s history to show the longstanding tension between British people and immigrants. The text alludes to the Second World War and the prosecution of Jewish and German people: “And we will not get there if we forget that thousands of Londoners persecuted immigrants enthusiastically throughout the 20th century. Jews and Germans were early targets (...)” (ll. 80-82). Similarly, the article also alludes to a stereotype applied to taxi-drivers as being ignorant or discriminatory towards foreigners: “Taxi-drivers do not become multiculturalists overnight (...)” (l. 87).

The writer also talks about “skinheads and paki-bashers, many of whom now call themselves the BNP - a party that is still represented on Barking and Dagenham council today” (ll....