According to the Oxford English dictionary, 'non-fiction' was coined in 1903 in a library journal by a librarian attempting to define the opposite of fiction.

Why "Verity"?<br /> by Richard Rhodes

Richard Rhodes uses the word verity rather than non-fiction as a means of defining his writing work in a more positive framing rather than defining it as the opposite of fiction (i.e. non-fiction).

http://www.greaterbooks.com/verity.html

This is a spectacular looking list of verity works over the last century. So many I've already read or which are already on my ever-growing list.

https://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-nonfiction/

What a solid looking list of non-fiction books.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1487530360703361024.html

from https://twitter.com/gwenckatz/status/1487530360703361024

He really tend to ridicule the counterargument through the use of derogatory quotation marks.

In my opinion, this is a weak way of destroying the opposite argument.

We could also say that he tries to influence the interpretive lenses of the audience.

He refers to this guy to increase his credibility.

Simile