Editing Pun (section)

===Rhetoric===

Puns can function as a [[rhetorical device]], where the pun serves as a persuasive instrument for an author or speaker. Although puns are sometimes perceived as trite or silly, if used responsibly a pun "can be an effective communication tool in a variety of situations and forms".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Junker|first=Dave|title=In Defense of Puns: How to Use them Effectively|journal=Public Relations Tactics|date=Feb 2013|volume=20|issue=2|page=18}}</ref> A major difficulty in using puns in this manner is that the meaning of a pun can be interpreted very differently according to the audience's background with the possibility of detracting from the intended message.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Djafarova|first=Elmira|title=Why Do Advertisers Use Puns? A Linguistic Perspective|journal=Journal of Advertising Research|date=Jun 2008|volume=48|issue=2|pages=267–275|doi=10.2501/s0021849908080306|s2cid=167457581}}</ref>