1. Personification: Burns consistently attributes human qualities and emotions to the mouse. He apologizes to it ("I'm truly sorry, man!") and contemplates its feelings about its ruined home ("Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruins lies"). This personification creates empathy and allows the reader to connect with the mouse's plight on a deeper level.
2. Apostrophe: The entire poem is an apostrophe—a direct address to a non-human entity (the mouse). Burns speaks directly *to* the mouse, revealing his thoughts and feelings in response to observing it. This creates a conversational and intimate tone, further strengthening the poem's emotional impact.