In so doing, the authors can imply additional meanings, convey a sense of shared understanding, and express thoughts in a more picturesque way. Reference and association are often used to imply acceptance or rejection, approval or disapproval. Reference and association work in somewhat similar ways. Reference calls attention to a particular person, event, or idea. It draws a link to shared knowledge outside the text.
Association invokes ideas and feelings through a particular reference.
You do not have to be able to distinguish between reference and association. It is enough that you infer meanings and judgments that seemingly go beyond the specific words on the page. Rely on both your prior knowledge and your imagination. Test your understanding by looking for consistency of meaning with the earlier and later discussion. References and association are common in articles in the popular press.