Name: Class:

Subject: Communication Studies Date:

The writer’s main point is aside from slavery and emancipation, the history of alcohol
“shadows our own” (Line 3). “The islands of the spirit’s birth, and the history of rum” (Line 2).
The writer’s main purpose is to outline the historical influence alcohol has had on
the region’s economy, and social structure. To
achieve this, the writer employs several writing strategies and language techniques to create an
informative and entertaining piece.
Paragraphing, and citation of historical facts are but a few of the writing strategies
employed.
The essay consists of 5 relatively short paragraphs that progressively talk about the
history of rum production, with the exception of the first two paragraphs that serve as a twofold
introduction to the subject matter. Paragraphing highlights the inseparable relationship between
alcohol and Caribbean history. Together they outline an informative timeline as the factory shifts
from owner to owner similar to how various territories experience shifts socially, politically, and
economically. What remains consistent is spirit production. Citation of historical facts is another
strategic writing technique used to add credibility and when used in conjunction with language
techniques such as humour, give the piece a more semi-formal tone. “Nonetheless, the legal
deed, dated 20th February 1703, complete with age-darkened, dog-eared edges, is the wold’s
oldest proof of world production” The writing strategies used work seamlessly together to give a
cohesive history lesion.
However, the writer also skilfully uses several literary devices to make the piece an
entertaining read. Humour, metaphor, historical allusion, motif, imagery, neologism and sarcasm
are the main language techniques used. Historical allusion and the motif of a “story” go hand in
hand in holding the structure of the piece together. “…a story of sugar plantations/truly began its
ascendance into international drinking lore” (Line 2 and Line 20). Humour and sarcasm also go
hand in hand, this time in increasing the entertainment value of the piece. “—aghast should
anything but white run be used to make cocktails!” (Lines 4 and 5). Lastly, the writer skilfully
utilises metaphor and neologism to evoke a native tone. For example the metaphor in lines 2 and
3. “These are the islands of the spirit’s birth” and the neologism in line 4 “rumbullion exposure”
The cumulative use of these literary devices, as aforementioned, makes the piece an entertain
read. However, these techniques, especially metaphors help add another layer of symbolism of
our Caribbean history.
In conclusion, the history of alcohol shadows our own and the writer captures this
perfectly with the use of paragraphing, and citation of historical facts. Together they outline an
informative timeline as the factory shifts from owner to owner similar to how various territories
experience shifts socially, politically, and economically. The writer skilfully uses key literary
devices such as historical allusion and metaphor to make the piece an entertaining read and help
add another layer of symbolism of our Caribbean history.