Humour
Please note, humour can appear in many forms in Language Analysis, see also: pun, sarcasm, irony and word play.
Effect on reader
Being funny is not necessarily persuasive in its own right, but can serve to create a rapport between writer and reader. This may re-position the writer, bringing them down to the level of the reader and making their writer appear more conversational or accessible. In this way, humour can change the tone and style of a piece.
It is important to note that the effect of humour is very dependent on the audience (for example: “in-jokes”) and the subject matter of the piece.
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