Anecdote:
a brief recounting of a relevant episode, frequently personal or biographical. Anecdotes are often inserted into fiction or nonfiction as a way of developing a point or injecting humor


Example:
"Six decades ago in this enchanting hideaway, less than a mile downstream from where the Mormon steps meets the gulch, twenty-year-old Everett Ruess carved his nom de plume into the canyon wall below a panel of Anasazi pictographs, and he did so again in the doorway of a small masonry structure built by the Anasazi for storing grain. "NEMO 1934," he scrawled, no doubt moved by the same impulse that compelled Chris McCandless to inscribe "Alexander Supertramp/May 1992" on the wall of the Sushana bus."
-Into The Wild, Jon Krakaurer



Explanation:
Krakauer uses different anecdotes in his telling of the true story of Christopher McCandless. His main purpose of doing this is to provide valuable perspective to the reader's understanding of Chris McCandless and why he thought wealth/happiness was not from money, but from the spirit. This anecdote describes a man who did the same thing, this helps the reader get more information and helps them relate the two stories. Another purpose of this is to give more evidence and examples of the themes of rebellious youth, and finding joy and happiness through nature.

In Medias Res:
beginning a narrative in the middle of the action. Often this technique will be accompanied by flashback or dialogue that explains what has gone before. (May be used in the narrative essay)


Example:
 "He saw the townlands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.
But not by will nor valor could he save them, for their own recklessness destroyed them all." -The Odyssey


Explanation:
The opening lines of the Odyssey start in the middle of a small amount of action. It is not violent, but is in the middle of a scene, that we have no knowledge about. The reader has to wonder why they have been at sea for a long time, and why they are fighting to stay alive due to their own recklessness. Starting a scene in the middle of  "action" allows the reader to foreshadow and suspect what will happen later in the novel, which is what the author wants. It builds suspense and mystery, and makes the reader want to read more. Homer also does this so he can create flashbacks later on in the novel, which makes it more dramatic. 

Alliteration: 
The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical sound.


Example: 

Rain

Rain races onto the porch
Hitting hard like
Rockets rushing in a race to the glass.
Rattling rain, rattling the window panes.
The droplets dance daintily
Until they cleverly connect in
A pool of promise for a rainbow.

                         -Poetry by Natasha Niemi

Explanation: 
Alliteration gives poetry a unique sound, emphasizing on specific phrases and represent the action that is taking place. In the example the alliteration helps the reader see the action of the rain, by the constant repetition of alliteration in the description of the rain. The alliteration creates imagery in the readers mind, and also lets them see the tone and mood of the poem. Alliteration is useful in helping create a lyrical tone, and emphasize the action and imagery throughout the poem.

Ad hominem argument/attack: 
A personal attack on the character or other traits of ones opponent rather than an argument against his/her ideas.

Examples:
 "That man was smartly-dressed and charming, so I'll accept his argument that I should vote for him." or: "He must be the best candidate; after all, he's a Christian!" 


Explanation: 
Theses are examples of Ad hominem because the person says he (the candidate) dresses nicely, or has a particular religion, and that he must know a lot about politics, economics, and statesmanship . This information could be inaccurate Many people "judge a book by its cover", when in fact it might be the complete opposite of the reality of it. Instead of finding out what the candidates actually believe in, many people judge the candidates by what they look like. An ad hominem argument can be seen in certain characters such as; small children, bias characters, or other characters that have no motive to find out the truth behind a person and their ideas/beliefs. 

Abstract Language: 
Language describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places. The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language.


Example:
"Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone- we find it with another."
-Thomas Merton 


Explanation:

Try to create a mental picture of "love." You can't observe or physically see love. You generally picture a couple holding hands, a child hugging a mother, roses and valentines as examples of  "love." Instead, these are ideas or qualities that are associated with love. There are no specific of evidence and how it is true destiny, it is just a idea that many people have.