Rhetorical devices

Antithesis

Antithesis refers to creating opposition between situation and ideas. The article is built on a central antithesis between opposing British attitudes towards foreigners. At first, the writer presents Britain as a tolerant country: “I am an Italian citizen living in Britain and, for the most part, have found this to be an open, tolerant and outward-looking nation” (ll. 10-11). Afterwards, she focuses on opposite attitudes: “At other times, though, the opposite view has been laid out before me: the full prejudice and ignorance of some Brexit voters” (ll. 68-69). This opposition keeps readers engaged and makes the article more complex as Ruiz tries to offer a balanced view on what it is like to live in Britain as an immigrant.

Another example of antithesis is: “Europeans like me once felt part of this great country – now, we do not” (l. 119). This opposition emphasises the idea that many people changed their view of the UK following the results of the Brexit campaign and referendum. As in the previous example, it also suggests that the results of the referendum have made people like Ruiz aware that their beliefs and understanding of the nation are not necessarily held by the majority of other people in the country.

Direct references

The text is full of direct references to specific events, people and locations, such as the mention of “a pro-Europe demonstration in Trafalgar Square” (l. 15) referring to the protests following the result of the Brexit referendum. Saying that she joined them, Ruiz wants to remind readers that her views are shared by many others in the UK. This adds to the authority of her arguments.

Another direct reference can be foun...