In the first paragraph, the author includes an allusion to the Guinness Book of Records and Paul McCartney, who was in the famous band the Beatles. The author refers to these familiar aspects of pop culture to make a connection with readers and express the value of rhodium. In the third paragraph, he continues drawing readers in with historical allusions to French royalty and the Washington Monument. These references also help to emphasize the past uses and value of aluminum. In addition, the author uses irony when he describes how the special guests were given aluminum forks and knives, while the less-favored guests were given gold. This situation seems like the opposite of what you would expect to happen today. This use of situational irony uses humor to inform readers about the historical uses of aluminum in an entertaining way. Together, these literary devices help the author achieve his purpose, which is to get readers interested in a topic they might not normally find that interesting.
In the first paragraph, the author includes an allusion to the Guinness Book of Records and Paul McCartney, who was in the famous band the Beatles. The author refers to these familiar aspects of pop culture to make a connection with readers and express the value of rhodium. In the third paragraph, he continues drawing readers in with historical allusions to French royalty and the Washington Monument. These references also help to emphasize the past uses and value of aluminum. In addition, the author uses irony when he describes how the special guests were given aluminum forks and knives, while the less-favored guests were given gold. This situation seems like the opposite of what you would expect to happen today. This use of situational irony uses humor to inform readers about the historical uses of aluminum in an entertaining way. Together, these literary devices help the author achieve his purpose, which is to get readers interested in a topic they might not normally find that interesting.
