Rhetorical devices

In “My Sons on Death Row”, Kevin O’Sullivan uses language techniques like rhetorical devices to get readers’ attention and to persuade them of his arguments.

Contrasts 

Contrasts are built between the two brothers, who are very different despite the fact that they are both on Death Row: “Ernest is good-looking and highly intelligent, with an above average IQ of 115.” (p. 172, ll. 33-35);

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Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are used when the writer cites Jaqueline directly and are meant to emphasise the woman’s tragic situation and make readers empathise with her: “…asks herself the simple haunting question: ‘Why Me?’” (p. 171, ll. 3-5); “ ‘I keep asking: ‘Why me? Why them?’” (p. 173, ll. 24-25)

Finally, the writer also inserts two allusions. He writes in the caption next to Jacqueline’s picture:

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