1. An author’s word choice.
DICTION
An author’s word choice.
HOW an author says something is a big part of what he has to say. It varies depending on the message, the occasion, and the audience.
It influences the TONE of the message.

2. The DICTIONARY meaning of a word; the exact meaning.
DENOTATION
The DICTIONARY meaning of a word; the exact meaning.

3. CONNOTATION
The associations called up by a word that goes beyond its dictionary meaning; the psychological, emotional, social, or cultural connections made to words

4. TONE
The speaker or author’s attitude toward the subject. The general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.