Language

Language refers to the type of words an author uses. It is closely tied to diction.

Use

Language can make a speaker seem closer to his or her audience (think ethos), but may also cause the speaker to seem like an “outsider,” so pay close attention to the speaker/writer’s language if it seems foreign or specific to one group.

Categories or Types

Slang words make a piece more informal. This is rarely used in academic writing, as they can send the wrong impression.

Colloquialisms are words tied to a geographical location. Use sparingly.

Jargon is tied to a group or organization. Computer jargon, engineer jargon, literature jargon, even rhetorical jargon can be confusing for those outside of the particular field. Can be confusing to “outsiders.”