Standard 5: Language Choices to Convey Meaning

Questions asked for effect rather than to get an answer. They are used to provoke thought, emphasize a point, or persuade the audience.

• tone

• Rhetorical Question

• Diction

• Metaphor

A form of verbal irony where someone says the opposite of what they mean, often with a mocking or biting tone. It can convey humor or criticism.

• Rhetorical Question

• Tone

• Sarcasm

• Contrast

A technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose flaws in society, politics, or human behavior.

• pun

• figurative language

• metaphor

• Satire

The use of similar structures in phrases or sentences to create rhythm, emphasis, or balance. It often involves repeating grammatical forms.

• parallelism

• irony

• tone

• satire

A play on words that exploits multiple meanings or sounds of words to create humor or emphasize an idea.

• irony

• pun

• dialect

• tone

contrast between expectation and reality.

• satire

• pun

• irony

• diction

When the audience knows something that a character does not.

• dramatic irony

• tone

• dialect

• diction

• When the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected.

• Dramatic Irony

• Diction

• Situational Irony

• Dialect

When someone says one thing but means another, often for sarcastic effect.

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony

• Satire

The author’s attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice and style.

• Diction

• Dialect

• Figurative language

• Tone