rhetorical question examples about homework

Rhetorical Question

Rhetorical Question Definition

What is a rhetorical question? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in which a question is asked for a reason other than to get an answer—most commonly, it's asked to make a persuasive point. For example, if a person asks, "How many times do I have to tell you not to eat my dessert?" he or she does not want to know the exact number of times the request will need to be repeated. Rather, the speaker's goal is to emphasize his or her growing frustration and—ideally—change the dessert-thief's behavior.

Some additional key details about rhetorical questions:

Rhetorical questions are also sometimes called erotema.
Rhetorical questions are a type of figurative language —they are questions that have another layer of meaning on top of their literal meaning.
Because rhetorical questions challenge the listener, raise doubt, and help emphasize ideas, they appear often in songs and speeches, as well as in literature.

How to Pronounce Rhetorical Question

Here's how to pronounce rhetorical question: reh- tor -ih-kuhl kwes -chun

Rhetorical Questions and Punctuation

A question is rhetorical if and only if its goal is to produce an effect on the listener, rather than to obtain information. In other words, a rhetorical question is not what we might call a "true" question in search of an answer. For this reason, many sources argue that rhetorical questions do not need to end in a traditional question mark. In the late 1500's, English printer Henry Denham actually designed a special question mark for rhetorical questions, which he referred to as a "percontation point." It looked like this: ⸮ (Here's a wikipedia article about Denham's percontation point and other forms of "irony punctuation.")

Though the percontation point has fallen out of use, modern writers do sometimes substitute a traditional question mark with a period or exclamation point after a rhetorical question. There is a lively debate as to whether this alternative punctuation is grammatically correct. Here are some guidelines to follow:

In general, rhetorical questions do require a question mark.
When a question is a request in disguise, you may use a period. For instance, it is ok to write: "Will you please turn your attention to the speaker." or "Can you please go to the back of the line."
When a question is an exclamation in disguise, you may use an exclamation point. For instance, it is okay to write: "Were they ever surprised!"
When asking a question emotionally, you may use an exclamation point. For instance, " Who could blame him!" and "How do you know that!" are both correct.

Rhetorical Questions vs. Hypophora

Rhetorical questions are easy to confuse with hypophora , a similar but fundamentally different figure of speech in which a speaker poses a question and then immediately answers it. Hypophora is frequently used in persuasive speaking because the speaker can pose and answer a question that the audience is likely to be wondering about, thereby making the thought processes of the speaker and the audience seem more aligned. For example, here is an example of hypophora used in a speech by Dwight Eisenhower:

When the enemy struck on that June day of 1950, what did America do? It did what it always has done in all its times of peril. It appealed to the heroism of its youth.

While Eisenhower asked this question without expecting an answer from his audience, this is an example of hypophora because he answered his own question. In a rhetorical question, by contrast, the answer would be implied in the question—to pose a rhetorical question, Eisenhower might have said instead, "When the enemy struck, who in their right mind would have done nothing to retaliate?"

Rhetorical Questions vs. Aporia

Rhetorical questions are also related to a figure of speech called aporia . Aporia is an expression of doubt that may be real, or which may be feigned for rhetorical effect. These expressions of doubt may or may not be made through the form of a question. When they are made through the form of a question, those questions are sometimes rhetorical.

Aporia and Rhetorical Questions

When someone is pretending doubt for rhetorical effect, and uses a question as part of that expression of doubt, then the question is rhetorical. For example, consider this quotation from an oration by the ancient Greek orator Demosthenes:

I am at no loss for information about you and your family; but I am at a loss where to begin. Shall I relate how your father Tromes was a slave in the house of Elpias, who kept an elementary school near the Temple of Theseus, and how he wore shackles on his legs and a timber collar round his neck? Or how your mother practised daylight nuptials in an outhouse next door to Heros the bone-setter, and so brought you up to act in tableaux vivants and to excel in minor parts on the stage?

The questions Demosthenes poses are examples of both aporia and rhetorical question, because Demosthenes is feigning doubt (by posing rhetorical questions) in order to cast insulting aspersions on the character of the person he's addressing.

Aporia Without Rhetorical Questions

If the expression of doubt is earnest, however, then the question is not rhetorical. An example of aporia that is not also a rhetorical question comes from the most famous excerpt of Shakespeare's Hamlet:

To be or not to be—that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?

While Hamlet asks this question without expecting an answer (he's alone when he asks it), he's not asking in order to persuade or make a point. It's a legitimate expression of doubt, which leads Hamlet into a philosophical debate about whether one should face the expected miseries of life or kill oneself and face the possible unknown terrors of death. It's therefore not a rhetorical question, because Hamlet asks the question as an opening to actually seek an answer to the question he is obsessing over.

Rhetorical Question Examples

Rhetorical question examples in literature.

Rhetorical questions are particularly common in plays, appearing frequently in both spoken dialogue between characters, and in monologues or soliloquies, where they allow the playwright to reveal a character's inner life.

Rhetorical Questions in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice :

In his speech from Act 3, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice , Shylock uses rhetorical questions to point out the indisputable similarities between Jews and Christians, in such a way that any listener would find him impossible to contradict:

I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

Rhetorical questions in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet :

In this soliloquy from Act 2, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet , Juliet poses a series of rhetorical questions as she struggles to grasp the difficult truth—that her beloved Romeo is a member of the Montague family:

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name which is no part of thee Take all myself.

Rhetorical Question Examples in Political Speeches

Rhetorical questions often "challenge" the listener to contradict what the speaker is saying. If the speaker frames the rhetorical question well, it gives the impression that his or her view is true and that it would be foolish, or even impossible, to contradict the speaker's argument. In other words, rhetorical questions are great for speeches.

Rhetorical Questions in Ronald Reagan's 1980 Republican National Convention Acceptance Address:

In this speech, Reagan uses a series of rhetorical questions—referred to as "stacked" rhetorical questions—to criticize the presidency of his predecessor and running opponent, Jimmy Carter:

Can anyone look at the record of this Administration and say, "Well done"? Can anyone compare the state of our economy when the Carter Administration took office with where we are today and say, "Keep up the good work"? Can anyone look at our reduced standing in the world today say, "Let's have four more years of this"?

Rhetorical Questions in Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic National Convention Speech:

In this portion of her speech, Clinton argues that her opponent Donald Trump is not temperamentally fit to become president:

A president should respect the men and women who risk their lives to serve our country—including Captain Khan and the sons of Tim Kaine and Mike Pence, both Marines. So just ask yourself: Do you really think Donald Trump has the temperament to be commander-in-chief?

Rhetorical Question Examples in Song Lyrics

Love has left even the best musicians of our time feeling lost, searching for meaning, and—as you might expect—full of rhetorical questions. Musicians such as Tina Turner, Jean Knight, and Stevie Wonder have all released hits structured around rhetorical questions, which allow them to powerfully express the joy, the pain, and the mystery of L-O-V-E.

Rhetorical Questions in "What's Love Got to do with It" by Tina Turner

What's love got to do, got to do with it What's love but a second hand emotion What's love got to do, got to do with it Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken

Rhetorical Questions in "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight

Now because you wear all those fancy clothes (oh yeah) And have a big fine car, oh yes you do now Do you think I can afford to give you my love (oh yeah) You think you're higher than every star above

Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr. Big Stuff You're never gonna get my love

Rhetorical Questions in "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder

Isn't she lovely Isn't she wonderful Isn't she precious Less than one minute old I never thought through love we'd be Making one as lovely as she But isn't she lovely made from love

Stevie Wonder wrote "Isn't She Lovely" to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha. The title is a perfect example of a rhetorical question, because Wonder isn't seeking a second opinion here. Instead, the question is meant to convey the love and amazement he feels towards his daughter.

Why Do Writers Use Rhetorical Questions?

Authors, playwrights, speech writers and musicians use rhetorical questions for a variety of reasons:

To challenge the listener
To emphasize an idea
To raise doubt
To demonstrate that a previously asked question was obvious

The examples included in this guide to rhetorical questions have largely pointed to the persuasive power of rhetorical questions, and covered the way that they are used in arguments, both real and fictional. However, poets also frequently use rhetorical questions for their lyrical, expressive qualities. Take the poem below, "Danse Russe (Russian Dance)" by William Carlos Williams:

If when my wife is sleeping and the baby and Kathleen are sleeping and the sun is a flame-white disc in silken mists above shining trees,— if I in my north room dance naked, grotesquely before my mirror waving my shirt round my head and singing softly to myself: "I am lonely, lonely. I was born to be lonely. I am best so!" If I admire my arms, my face, my shoulders, flanks, buttocks against the yellow drawn shades,— Who shall say I am not the happy genius of my household?

The rhetorical question that concludes this poem has the effect of challenging the reader to doubt Williams' happiness—daring the listener to question this intimate, eccentric portrait of the poet's private world. By ending the poem in this way, Williams maintains a delicate balance. Throughout the poem, he draws the reader in and confides secrets of his interior life, but the question at the end is an almost defiant statement that he does not require the reader's approval. Rather, the reader—like the mirror—is simply there to witness his happy solitude.

Rhetorical Question

Definition of rhetorical question.

A rhetorical question is asked just for effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis on the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an impressive persuasive device.

Broadly speaking, a rhetorical question is asked when the questioner himself knows the answer already, or an answer is not actually demanded. So, an answer is not expected from the audience . Such a question is used to emphasize a point or draw the audience’s attention.

Common Rhetorical Question Examples

Rhetorical questions, though almost needless or meaningless, seem a basic need of daily language. Some common examples of rhetorical questions from daily life are as follows:

“Who knows?”
“Are you stupid?”
“Did you hear me?”

Mostly, it is easy to spot a rhetorical question because of its position in the sentence . It occurs immediately after a comment made, and states the opposite of it. The idea again is to make a point more prominent. Some rhetorical question examples are as follows. Keep in mind that they are also called “tag questions” if used in everyday conversation.

“It’s too hot today, isn’t it? “
“The actors played the roles well, didn’t they? “

How to Punctuation Rhetorical Questions?

It is not very difficult to tell how to punctuate a rhetorical question. It either ends on a question mark or a period. However, it is to be kept in mind that if the question occurs in the middle of a simple or complex sentence, it does not require any punctuation mark. If, on the other hand, it occurs by the end of the sentence or text, then it needs a question mark. Sometimes writers use an exclamation mark instead of a question mark. That is entirely a contextual requirement that the writer understands and wants to convey to his audiences.

Rhetorical Question and Hypophora

A rhetorical question is a rhetorical device , while a hypophora is a figure of speech . Whereas in a rhetorical question, the person does not need an answer, nor does he/she answers that question, in hypophora, the person posing a question gives its answer as well. It is a simple question with a simple and single sentence answer.

Rhetorical Question and Aporia

Similar to the rhetorical question, aporia is also a rhetorical device. However, it only expresses skepticism to prove something. Therefore, it becomes a question when expressing that uncertainty. On the other hand, a rhetorical question does not express any uncertainty as it does not require an answer and is posed often with the attention to stress upon the idea about which it is posed.

Use of Rhetorical Questions in Sentences

i am obviously angry. Will you be okay if I punch you?
Do you wonder why Harry is such a dumb person like he’s lost his mind? Oh well!
The Earth revolves around the sun. Why? Because rest the of the planets do too.
Looking at the clock, the father asked his son, ‘What time do you think it is now ?’
Isn’t he the master of deceptions? Alas, you knew that too?

Examples of Rhetorical Questions in Literature

Rhetorical questions in literature are as important as they are in daily language, or perhaps even more so. The reason is the significant change a rhetorical question can bring about. The absence or presence of a rhetorical question in some of the most famous lines in literature would change the impact altogether. Some examples of rhetorical questions in the literature show that writers sometimes ask questions and then go on to answer them to produce the desired effect.

Example #1: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

JULIET: ” ’Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague ? It is nor hand, nor foot , Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What’s in a name ? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”

A very good example of a rhetorical question in literature is from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . Here, Juliet makes a statement that a man’s name does not define him as a person. She draws attention to this issue by asking two important rhetorical questions, as noted in bold.

Example #2: Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley ends his masterpiece Ode to the West Wind with a rhetorical question:

“…O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind ?”

In this excerpt, Shelley achieves the desired effect by asking a rhetorical question, rather than making a statement. The answer to this question is not sought; rather, an effect is successfully created giving a fine finishing touch to the ode .

Example #3: Creation by Hladia Porter Stewart

Mrs. Hladia Porter Stewart in her poem Creation employs rhetorical questions to create effect and achieve the desired appeal of the poem.

“What made you think of love and tears And birth and death and pain?”

Without rhetorical questions, it might have been impossible for the poet to express herself as impressively as she does here.

Example #4: The Solitary Reaper by William Wordsworth

“Will no one tell me what she sings?”

Notice, that an answer is not expected to this question. The poet prefers a rhetorical question to a plain statement to emphasize his feelings of pleasant surprise. Thus, the poem’s meaning is enhanced by the use of a rhetorical question.

Example #5: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

The character Shylock, in Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice , asks a series of rhetorical questions in this excerpt. The questions don’t necessarily need answers. They are neither questions nor plain statements, but rather something in between the two.

Function of Rhetorical Question

Writers employ rhetorical questions for rhetorical effects, and we cannot easily quantify the impact rendered by a rhetorical question. The idea becomes all the more powerful, and our interest is aroused to continue to read and enjoy the technical and aesthetic beauty that a rhetorical question generates. Moreover, it is a requirement in persuasive speeches.

Synonyms of Rhetorical Question

There is no equivalent meaning to a rhetorical question. The following words may come close in meanings such as explanation, question, inquiry, rebuttal , question, inquiry, and query.

Rhetorical Device
Beg The Question
Hypothetical Question

Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, rhetorical question, definition of rhetorical question.

A rhetorical question is a question that is asked not to get an answer, but instead to emphasize a point. The word “rhetorical” signifies that the question is meant as a figure of speech. Though no answer is necessary for rhetorical questions, they are often used to elicit thought and understanding on the part of the listener or reader.

Rhetorical questions can work in several different ways, though the definition of rhetorical question remains the same. A rhetorical question may be intended as a challenge for which there is no answer or for which the answer is very difficult to come across. On the other hand, some rhetorical questions have such obvious answers that they are meant to emphasize how obvious the answer to a previous questions was. For example, if person A asked person B, “Are you going to John’s party?” and person B was definitely going, he might respond “Is rain wet?” Rhetorical questions can also raise doubt, such as in, “All was calm. Or was it?”

Common Examples of Rhetorical Question

There are many examples of rhetorical questions in famous speeches. Orators often use rhetorical questions to emphasize an important point or to prompt listeners to imagine the answer. One of the most famous examples of this strategy is from Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a woman?”:

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?

–Sojourner Truth, speech delivered at 1851 Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio

Rhetorical questions can also be used humorously. The character of Chandler on the TV show Friends often used rhetorical questions as his main source of humor:

Rachel: Guess what, guess what? Chandler: Let’s see, the fifth dentist caved, now they all recommend trident?

Joey (making fun of Chandler): I’m Chandler. Could I BE wearing any more clothes?

We also use rhetorical questions in common speech, such as the following statements:

Sure, why not?
Does it look like I care?
Are you kidding me?
Do birds fly?
Is the sky blue?

Significance of Rhetorical Question in Literature

When used in literature, rhetorical questions may signify that a character is having a dialogue with himself or herself, and considering different options. In the famous speech from Shakespeare’s Hamlet , Hamlet begins “To be or not to be – that is the question.” In this case, Hamlet is sincerely weighing the benefits and costs of staying alive. (Note that not all rhetorical questions end with a question mark, as in this case). Rhetorical questions may also prompt the reader to further consider different theoretical possibilities, such as in Example #4 below.

Examples of Rhetorical Question in Literature

JULIET: Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What’s in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet… ( Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)

Shakespeare used many rhetorical questions in his plays and poems. In these rhetorical question examples, Juliet wonders aloud the meaning of a name. She is not asking for an answer, but instead emphasizing the frustration she has that it is only a name that separates her from her greatest love.

Yossarian attended the education sessions because he wanted to find out why so many people were working so hard to kill him. A handful of other men were also interested, and the questions were many and good when Clevinger and the subversive corporal finished and made the mistake of asking if there were any. “Who is Spain?” “Why is Hitler?” “When is right?”

( Catch-22 by Joseph Heller)

This example of rhetorical question is meant to highlight the absurdity of war. The character of Clevinger asks if there are any questions, and the soldiers in Yossarian’s troop ask questions for which there are no answers. They do this to irritate the men who are higher in command, but also to bring attention to the fact that nothing ever really makes sense during wartime, and the reality of their lives is just as absurd as their questions.

`Take some more tea,’ the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. `I’ve had nothing yet,’ Alice replied in an offended tone, `so I can’t take more.’ `You mean you can’t take less ,’ said the Hatter: `it’s very easy to take more than nothing.’ `Nobody asked your opinion,’ said Alice. `Who’s making personal remarks now?’ the Hatter asked triumphantly.

( Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

Lewis Carroll used many rhetorical devices in Alice in Wonderland , especially when Alice encounters the Mad Hatter. In this rhetorical question example, the Mad Hatter says “Who’s making personal remarks now?” to insinuate that Alice is being the rude one of the group.

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

(“Harlem” by Langston Hughes)

The many rhetorical questions in Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem” ultimately ask the reader to consider the possible implications of the primary question—“what happens to a dream deferred?” The reader may consider dreams deferred in his or her own life and compare the different metaphors with their own experiences.

That spring, in the bustle of grooming and riding and shoeing, I remember I let him go to a neighbor I thought was a friend, and the following fall she sold him down the river. Oh Jack, tethered in what rough stall alone did you remember that one good winter?

(“Jack” by Maxine Kumin)

Maxine Kumin’s poem “Jack” concerns a horse she once owned. The poem describes a winter in which Jack, the horse, had everything he could want—warm stables, plenty of food. The final line of the poem in which Kumin asks, “did you remember that one good winter?” is tragic in that it shows her grief and remorse for letting him go. She is asking this question only to try to bring comfort to herself.

Test Your Knowledge of Rhetorical Question

1. Which of the following statements is the best rhetorical question definition? A. A figure of speech for which no answer is necessary. B. A falsehood meant to confuse the reader or listener. C. A question for which there are numerous answers. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #1″] Answer: A is correct.[/spoiler]

What is the function of the following rhetorical question from Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18”?

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

A. Shakespeare wasn’t sure if a summer’s day was an appropriate comparison, and wanted validation that it would be a good metaphor. B. This first line of the sonnet proposes a possible metaphor for the author’s beloved, and the rest of the sonnet carries out the implications of this possibility. C. The lover described in the poem is so clearly the opposite of a summer day that the comparison is laughable. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #2″] Answer: B is correct.[/spoiler]

3. Which of the questions in this dialogue from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is a rhetorical question?

What did they draw?’ said Alice, quite forgetting her promise. `Treacle,’ said the Dormouse, without considering at all this time. Alice did not wish to offend the Dormouse again, so she began very cautiously: `But I don’t understand. Where did they draw the treacle from?’ `You can draw water out of a water-well,’ said the Hatter; `so I should think you could draw treacle out of a treacle-well—eh, stupid?’

A. “What did they draw?” B. “Where did they draw the treacle from?” C. “Eh, stupid?” [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: C is the correct answer. Alice’s two questions are both in earnest, as she wants to know the answer. The Mad Hatter’s rhetorical question is only meant to infuriate Alice.[/spoiler]

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How to use Rhetorical Questions in your Speech, with Examples

April 5, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

Rhetorical questions can be used as an effective communication tool during a speech. These questions provide you with a way of controlling the speech and thoughts of the audience.

They are especially useful in engaging the audience and persuading them to agree with you. In this article we discuss how to use rhetorical questions in a speech or presentation.

What is a rhetorical question?

A rhetorical question can be “an effective persuasive device, subtly influencing the kind of response one wants to get from an audience” – (Edward P.J. Corbett)

A rhetorical question is a question that’s asked for effect with no answer expected. The answer may be immediately provided by the questioner or obvious.

The question may have an obvious answer
The question may not have an answer
The question may be answered immediately by the questioner

Examples of rhetorical questions

General examples.

Rhetorical questions with obvious answers are asked about well-known facts, or the answer is suggested based on the question’s context. They are used to emphasises an idea or point:

Are you kidding me?
Can birds fly?
Is the Pope catholic?

Rhetorical questions which have no answers:

What’s the meaning of life?
How many times do I have to tell you not to…?

Examples from Obama and Shakespeare

President Obama’s immigration address

Ever since the 5th century BC , orators have put their points across by asking rhetorical questions whose implied answers clearly support their point. This rhetorical passage comes from Obama’s immigration speech:

“Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law? Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents’ arms? Or are we a nation that values families, and works to keep them together?” – Obama’s Immigration Address

William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? – Sonnet 18

If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? – The Merchant of Venice

Mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, shrunk to this little measure? – Julius Caesar

Benefits of rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are not a necessity but they can be valuable. They can be used in many different ways to:

Engage the audience
Increase the variety of your presentation
Influence and persuade the audience
Subtly draw attention and emphasise specific points
Introduce topics/ideas
Make the listeners think about certain topics

How to use rhetorical questions in a speech

1. engage the audience.

Ask a rhetorical question to engage the audience and pause to allow them to think of an answer. This gets the audience to actively participate rather than passively listen as they create hypotheses or resolutions.

For example: asking “Why is practicing mindfulness beneficial for reducing anxiety?” would be more effective than saying “Practicing mindfulness exercises can reduce anxiety levels because…”

Speakers may start presentations with rhetorical questions to increase the likelihood of the audience staying engaged.

2. Personalise your questions

Make the audience feel as though you are speaking to each member individually by using “you” and “your.”

For example: asking “Do you want to lose weight without feeling hungry?” would be more effective than asking “Does anyone here want to lost weight without feeling hungry?”

3. Persuade the audience

To get your audience to agree with you, ask a rhetorical question where the answer is clearly a “yes”. Once the audience begins agreeing with you they are more likely to continue agreeing. You will be familiar with this type of persuasion in casual conversation, for example, “Nice weather today, isn’t it?”

Another way to get the audience to agree with you is to show them that you’re similar. Show your listeners that you have shared experiences and that you understand their problems.

For example, “We’ve all experienced being so stressed at work that we come home and don’t feel like doing anything, haven’t we?”

4. Evoke emotions

Make the audience feel the same way you do about something by asking questions that trigger emotional reactions.

For example, rather than saying “X has never helped our community” ask “What has X ever done for our community?” This will trigger a strong emotional response because the audience will come to that conclusion that “X haven’t done anything.”

5. Emphasise a statement

After a statement has been made use a rhetorical question to get the audience to think about that statement.

For example, “The amount of plastic in the ocean is rising at a considerable rate. How much damage will it take for you to help reduce this?”

Presentation with rhetorical questions being asked

6. Predict the audiences questions

Think about your topic and audience when planning your speech. Try to predict what the audience may want to ask. In your speech use the predictions as rhetorical questions and answer them.

For example, “As a dog owner you may think ‘What should I be focusing on to keep my dog healthy?’ The answer is providing your dog with the correct nutrition and therefore food.”

You could also introduce one or more rhetorical questions at the start of your speech and explain that you will answer them during your speech. For example: “In the next 20 minutes let’s explore the answers to these questions.” Asking these difficult questions and promising you will provide the answers will increase interest and attention.

7. Answer questions with questions

Answer a question, either an audience member’s or your own, using another rhetorical question. Generally both the questions have the same answer.

For example: “Have we met the targets again this year? Is the Pope Catholic?”

Try to make the second question unique and relatable to the audience because common examples can sound cheesy.

8. Consecutive rhetorical questions

– Increase the impact of your argument

Ask multiple rhetorical questions consecutively – each one more specific or more powerful than the previous. This way your content will have a greater impact on the listeners.

For example: “Isn’t their skin lovely? Don’t you think it looks really clear? Can you see any blemishes? Wouldn’t you like to have skin like that?”

– Show conflicting opinions

Use rhetorical questions consecutively to highlight the complexity of a topic by asking questions in which the answers provide conflicting viewpoints.

For example: “How can we reduce the crime rate in the UK? Should we rehabilitate offenders? Should criminals be punished with longer sentences? Should we create initiatives targeting at-risk children?” etc

If you start your speech with this technique, you can structure your speech or presentation around it, with each section addressing a different viewpoint.

– Show supporting opinions

You can also consecutively ask questions in which the answers provide similar viewpoints. This is similar to repetition which is used to continually highlight an important point.

For example: “Which company achieves over 90% in customer satisfaction? Which company provides one of the best employee benefits programs in the country? Which company scores highest in employee happiness and fulfilment? Of course, our company does!”

Rhetorical questions are an effective way to gain the support of the audience but ensure that you do your research beforehand. This means finding out who your audience are , such as, their general views, attitudes, age etc. With this information you can plan rhetorical questions that will be appropriate and tailored to your listeners.

Rhetorical Questions for English Learners

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Rhetorical questions can be defined as questions that are not really meant to be answered. Rather, rhetorical questions are asked in order to make a point about a situation or to point out something for consideration. This is a very different usage than yes/no questions or information questions. Let's quickly review these two basic types before moving on to rhetorical questions.

Yes/No questions are used to quickly get an answer to a simple question. They are usually answered with the short response using only the auxiliary verb. For example:

Would you like to come with us tonight? Yes, I would.

Did you understand the question? No, I didn't.

Are they watching TV at the moment? Yes, they are.

Information questions are asked using the following question words:

When / What time
How many / much / often / far / etc.

Information questions are answered in full sentences. For example:

Where do you live? I live in Portland, Oregon.

What time does the movie start? The movie starts at 7:30.

How far is it to the next gas station? The next gas station is in 20 miles.

Rhetorical Questions for the Big Questions in Life

Rhetorical questions pose a question that is intended to make people think. For example, a conversation might begin with:

What do you want to do in life? That's a question we all need to answer, but it's not easy...

How much time does it take to become successful? That's an easy question. It takes a lot of time! Let's take a look at what success requires so that we can get a better understanding.

Where do you want to be in 15 years? That's a question that everyone should take seriously no matter how old they are.

Rhetorical Questions to Draw Attention

Rhetorical questions are also used to point to something important and often have an implied meaning. In other words, the person who poses the question is not looking for an answer but wants to make a statement. Here are some examples:

Do you know what time it is? - MEANING: It's late. Who is my favorite person in the world? - MEANING: You are my favorite person. Where's my homework? - MEANING: I expected you to turn in the homework today. What does it matter? - MEANING: It doesn't matter.

Rhetorical Questions to Point Out a Bad Situation

Rhetorical questions are also often used to complain about a bad situation. Once again, the actual meaning of the quite different than the rhetorical question. Here are some examples:

What can she do about that teacher? - MEANING: She can't do anything. Unfortunately, the teacher isn't very helpful. Where am I going to find help this late in the day? - MEANING: I'm not going to find help this late in the day. Do you think I'm rich? - MEANING: I'm not rich, don't ask me for money.

Rhetorical Questions to Express a Bad Mood

Rhetorical questions are often used to express a bad mood, even depression. For example:

Why should I try to get that job? - MEANING: I'll never get that job! What's the point in trying? - MEANING: I'm depressed and I don't want to make an effort. Where did I go wrong? - MEANING: I don't understand why I'm having so many difficulties lately.

Negative Yes/No Rhetorical Questions to Point to a Positive

Negative rhetorical questions are used to suggest that a situation is actually positive. Here are some examples:

Haven't you had enough awards this year? - MEANING: You've won a lot of awards. Congratulations! Didn't I help you on your last exam? - MEANING: I helped you on your last exam. Won't he be excited to see you? - MEANING: He will be very excited to see you.

Hopefully this short guide to rhetorical questions has answered any questions you may have on how and why we use them. There are other types such as question tags to confirm information and indirect questions to be more polite.

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Rhetorical Question

What is a rhetorical question.

Table of Contents

Examples of a Rhetorical Questions

The rhetorical question mark, examples of rhetorical questions in literature, why rhetorical questions are important.

Formal Definition

A rhetorical question can be used to make a positive point:

What's not to like?
Who doesn't love pizza?
Wow, who knew?

A rhetorical question can be used to make a negative point:

Does it look like I'm bothered?
What is the matter with kids today?
What have the Romans ever done for us? (from Monty Python's Life of Brian)
Why should you take by force that from us which you can have by love? (from the 1607 speech to white settlers by Chief Powhatan, father of Pocahontas)

A rhetorical question with an obvious answer (if it were answered) can be used to answer a real question:

Is your boss still ignoring you? Do bears, er, live in the woods?

A rhetorical question can be used to introduce a subject:

What are super foods?
Why do we need to reduce carbon emissions?
What happened to your vote?

"If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? (Shylock from Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice")
What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. (Juliet from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet")

(Benefit 1) Rhetorical questions make good titles and are engaging.

Who Was Responsible for the Genocide in Srebrenica?

(Benefit 2) Rhetorical questions can be diplomatic.

Who was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest?
Sir Edmund Hillary is credited for being the first man to conquer Mount Everest. But, who did reach the summit first? Some believe that Englishman George Mallory, who led an expedition to Everest in 1924, reached the summit first. However, Mallory died on the mountain, and it is unknown whether he reached the top.
Use a rhetorical question as a title to engage your readers.
Use a rhetorical question like a soft statement when some diplomacy is required.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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I. What is a Rhetorical Question?

A rhetorical question is a question that is not asked in order to receive an answer from the audience or reader. It’s just posed to make a point. Don’t we do this all the time in everyday speech? Sometimes a rhetorical question will just be left open, but other times the speaker will immediately go on to answer it. In either case, no answer from the audience is expected.

II. Examples of a Rhetorical Question

“What’s the deal with airline food?”

This sort of rhetorical question is often asked by standup comedians. They’re not actually asking the audience to answer the question – they’re just setting up a joke or monologue about the subject of airline food.

“Want to order a pizza?”

“Sure, why not?”

You’ve probably used this rhetorical question before. Rather than just saying “yeah,” you ask a question. But the question is entirely rhetorical. Imagine if someone actually responded by explaining why you shouldn’t order a pizza – you might suspect that they missed your point.

III. The Importance of a Rhetorical Question

Rhetorical questions are so common in everyday speech that it’s hard to define their overall effect. It’s just part of the way people speak in real life, so using a rhetorical question here and there can make your writing sound more natural. In addition, a question gives the feel of a dialogue, because the reader feels as though he or she is being addressed directly by the writer. (The fancy word for this is that rhetorical questions “interpellate” the reader.)

There’s at least one clear purpose for rhetorical questions in formal essays : they’re a great way to move an argument forward (see section 6 for an example). Instead of just saying “I will now talk about x ,” you can ask a question about x and give your reader a better idea of where you’re going. This is a much more natural and conversational way to write. Imagine a dinner party where someone raised their hand and announced what they were going to talk about next – no one does this! But you can easily imagine someone raising a rhetorical question instead. You can mimic this flow of conversation in your writing.

V. Examples of a Rhetorical Question in Literature

“ What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet!” (Juliet, Romeo and Juliet )

One of Shakespeare’s most famous lines is a rhetorical question. In this line, Juliet is raising the question to prove a point – that names don’t mean anything and it shouldn’t matter if Romeo’s last name is unacceptable to her parents. She’s asking the question rhetorically, and doesn’t expect that someone will come in and tell her what is in a name.

“Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (Play by Edward Albee)

This rhetorical question also contains a clever pun. The play is all about a pair of English professors who discuss the work of British author Virginia Woolf; they also sing a humorous version of the song “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” onstage.

VI. Examples of Rhetorical Question in Pop Culture

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “If vegetarians eat vegetables, then what do humanitarians eat?”

This joke is an example of a rhetorical question. It doesn’t really need an answer, since the punch line is already implied by the question – do humanitarians eat humans?

“How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” “Seven!” (Mona and Homer Simpson, The Simpsons )

In this episode of The Simpsons , Mona Simpson is singing a famous song by Bob Dylan in which the first line is “How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” Obviously it’s a rhetorical question because the singer doesn’t expect an answer, but Homer fails to understand this and hazards a guess.

VII. Related Terms

An “aporia” is a rhetorical expression of doubt, usually when the author doesn’t actually feel the doubt. An aporia is often expressed in question form, and in these cases it’s an example of a rhetorical question. It’s often used in philosophy and other argument-heavy fields when the author wants to move the conversation forward. Take this line from a philosophy paper, transitioning from one section into another:

Therefore, the democratic citizen should speak as plainly as possible so that his or her fellow-citizens can understand. But what exactly does it mean to “speak plainly” when it comes to complicated political issues? And are there exceptions to the general rule?

In these sentences, the author is getting ready to raise a new point in the argument, and the rhetorical questions help smooth the transition. Obviously, the author isn’t expecting a response – in fact, the author is about to go forward and answer the questions herself.

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Rhetorical Questions: 30 Effective Examples and Definition

Oct 24, 2023

Rhetorical questions, in particular, possess the unique ability to captivate, engage, and provoke thought. Whether you’re a seasoned orator, a writer, or someone simply looking to enhance their persuasive skills, this article is your definitive guide to mastering this impactful technique. Delve into the world of rhetoric and discover how these 30 examples and expert tips can elevate your communication to new heights.

What Are Rhetorical Questions?

Rhetorical questions are a powerful tool in the realm of persuasive communication. They are a form of interrogative expression used to make a point or convey a message rather than to elicit a direct response. These questions are crafted with a specific intention, often to provoke thought, engage the audience, or emphasize a particular idea. Here’s a clear and easy-to-understand explanation of rhetorical questions:

Rhetorical questions are inquiries posed in conversation or writing that do not require or expect an actual answer. Instead, they serve as a persuasive or rhetorical device, designed to make a statement, emphasize a point, or provoke critical thinking in the audience.

The biggest difference between rhetorical questions and typical questions in that rhetorical questions are not used to gather information or seek a response from others. Rather, they function as a means of guiding the listener or reader’s thoughts in a particular direction. They are strategically employed to emphasize a message, create a sense of engagement, or encourage reflection.

Rhetorical questions are commonly used in persuasive speeches, essays, debates, and everyday communication to achieve various objectives. Here are a few key purposes:

Emphasis – Rhetorical questions can draw attention to a specific idea or argument by framing it as a question. For example, “Do we want to continue down a path of destruction?” emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

Engagement – These questions engage the audience by prompting them to consider the topic more deeply. For instance, “Have you ever wondered what the future holds?” encourages the audience to reflect on possibilities.

Affirmation – Rhetorical questions often lead the audience to agree with the implied answer, reinforcing the speaker’s point. An example is, “Is it not our moral duty to help those in need?” which presupposes that helping others is a moral obligation.

Persuasion – By framing an argument as a rhetorical question, the speaker can guide the audience to a specific conclusion. For instance, “Wouldn’t you agree that a healthier lifestyle leads to a happier life?” implies that the answer is yes.

30 Best Rhetorical Questions Examples

1. What’s not to love about a beautiful sunset? Rhetorical questions like this one evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation, inviting the audience to share the sentiment.

2. Are you going to let fear hold you back from your dreams? This question challenges the audience to confront their fears and consider the impact on their aspirations.

3. Do you think the world would be a better place without acts of kindness? By implying a positive response, this question emphasizes the importance of kindness in society.

4. Can you imagine a world without art and creativity? It highlights the significance of art and creativity in our lives, making the audience reflect on their value.

5. Is it possible to put a price on freedom? This question prompts reflection on the intangible value of freedom.

6. Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. Rhetorical questions like this can be motivational, emphasizing the importance of resilience.

7. Does anyone really believe in a perfect world? It invites contemplation about the idealistic notion of a perfect society.

8. What’s more important than the health and well-being of our children? This question highlights the paramount importance of children’s welfare.

9. Could we exist without the air we breathe? It emphasizes the fundamental nature of oxygen to human existence.

10. Is there a single recipe for happiness that suits everyone? This question suggests the subjectivity of happiness and personal fulfillment.

11. Is it fair to judge a book by its cover? This age-old question prompts reflection on the issue of prejudice and superficial judgments.

12. Can you really put a price on love? This question emphasizes the idea that love is priceless and beyond monetary value .

13. Who doesn’t want to be successful in life? This question assumes that everyone desires success, making the audience ponder their own aspirations.

14. Do you think anyone would willingly choose pain over pleasure? It underlines the universal preference for pleasure and avoidance of pain.

15. Is there anything more refreshing than a cold glass of water on a hot day? This question appeals to our shared experience of relief on a scorching day.

16. What could be more comforting than the embrace of a loved one? This rhetorical question highlights the emotional value of human connection.

17. Can we really call ourselves civilized when we still wage wars? This question provokes thought about the contradiction between civilization and conflict.

18. What’s stopping you from chasing your dreams? I t encourages self-reflection and motivation to overcome obstacles.

19. Is there anything better than the sound of laughter? This question celebrates the universal joy associated with laughter.

20. How can we expect change if we never take action? It underscores the necessity of taking the initiative to bring about change.

21. Do you think the world would be the same without great leaders? This question underscores the impact of influential leaders throughout history.

22. What would life be without a sense of humor? It highlights the role of humor in our lives, promoting its significance.

23. Is there any greater tragedy than the loss of a loved one? This question evokes empathy and reflection on the depth of human emotion.

24. Can you really put a limit on human potential? It challenges the idea of constraining human capabilities.

25. What could be more fundamental than the pursuit of knowledge? This rhetorical question emphasizes the inherent human curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

26. Can you imagine a world without hope? It prompts reflection on the importance of hope in people’s lives.

27. Is there any greater bond than the love between a parent and child? This question celebrates the profound connection between parents and their children.

28. What would life be without challenges to overcome? It highlights the role of adversity in personal growth and development.

29. Is there a more powerful force than the unity of a community? This question emphasizes the strength of community and solidarity .

30. Who would trade the beauty of nature for a concrete jungle? It encourages reflection on the value of preserving natural environments

Why People Use Rhetorical Questions?

Rhetorical questions serve various compelling purposes. Foremost among these is their ability to engage the audience or reader. They break the monotony of one-way communication and encourage active participation, thereby infusing the conversation or written text with dynamism and interactivity. Rhetorical questions also double as persuasive tools since they often imply a specific answer or point of view, subtly guiding the audience to consider the speaker or writer’s perspective.

Moreover, rhetorical questions can stimulate thought and critical thinking, encouraging individuals to ponder complex issues or view a subject from multiple angles. They possess the remarkable capacity to evoke emotions, eliciting empathy, curiosity, or reflection by framing an issue in a relatable manner. Additionally, rhetorical questions can be effectively employed to emphasize key points, rendering them memorable, and drawing attention to the essential aspects of a message.

Tips On How to Make Good Rhetorical Questions

Consider your audience’s interests, values, and knowledge. Pattern your questions to resonate with their experiences and perspectives.
Ensure your question is clear and concise . A complex question may confuse your audience and weaken the impact of your message.
Rhetorical questions should stimulate thought. Make questions that encourage your audience to reflect on the subject matter.
Rhetorical questions often imply an answer . Ensure that this answer connects with your intended message or argument.
Use rhetorical questions to evoke emotions . Appeal to your audience’s feelings to make your message more impactful.
Ensure that your rhetorical question is directly related to the topic at hand. Irrelevant questions can disrupt the flow of your communication.
Don’t overuse rhetorical questions. Use them strategically to emphasize key points or engage your audience when necessary.
While rhetorical questions can be powerful, using too many can lessen their impact. Use them sparingly for maximum effect.
Some questions can be more complex, but be mindful of your audience’s ability to engage with the topic. Balance between simple and hard questions as needed.
Crafting effective rhetorical questions is a skill that improves with Seeking feedback from peers or mentors to refine your use of rhetorical questions in your communication.

Upon discussing the key points about rhetorical questions, we learned that: the art of using rhetorical questions is a powerful tool in communication. As we’ve explored in this discussion, rhetorical questions can captivate your audience, prompt reflection, and enhance the impact of your message. By understanding your audience, tailoring your questions, and using them strategically, you can become a more persuasive and engaging communicator. Whether you’re delivering a speech, writing an essay, or simply engaging in a meaningful conversation, the use of rhetorical questions can elevate your communication to a new level. So, the next time you seek to make a point, inspire, or provoke thought, consider the art of the rhetorical question, and watch the power of your words come to life.

Read More: 10 Biggest Philosophical Dilemmas Examples

Read also: 30 Effective Guiding Questions Examples

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Rhetorical Questions in Essays: 5 Things you should Know

Rhetorical questions can be useful in writing. So, why shouldn’t you use rhetorical questions in essays?

In this article, I outline 5 key reasons that explain the problem with rhetorical questions in essays.

Despite the value of rhetorical questions for engaging audiences, they mean trouble in your university papers. Teachers tend to hate them.

There are endless debates among students as to why or why not to use rhetorical questions. But, I’m here to tell you that – despite your (and my) protestations – the jury’s in. Many, many teachers hate rhetorical questions.

You’re therefore not doing yourself any favors in using them in your essays.

Rhetorical Question Examples

A rhetorical question is a type of metacommentary . It is a question whose purpose is to add creative flair to your writing. It is a way of adding style to your essay.

Rhetorical questions usually either have obvious answers, or no answers, or do not require an answer . Here are some examples:

Are you seriously wearing that?
Do you think I’m that gullible?
What is the meaning of life?
What would the walls say if they could speak?

I understand why people like to use rhetorical questions in introductions . You probably enjoy writing. You probably find rhetorical questions engaging, and you want to draw your marker in, engage them, and wow them with your knowledge.

1. Rhetorical Questions in Academic Writing: They Don’t belong.

Rhetorical questions are awesome … for blogs, diaries, and creative writing. They engage the audience and ask them to predict answers.

But, sorry, they suck for essays. Academic writing is not supposed to be creative writing .

Here’s the difference between academic writing and creative writing:

Supposed to be read for enjoyment first and foremost.
Can be flamboyant, extravagant, and creative.
Can leave the reader in suspense.
Can involve twists, turns, and surprises.
Can be in the third or first person.
Readers of creative writing read texts from beginning to end – without spoilers.

Rhetorical questions are designed to create a sense of suspense and flair. They, therefore, belong as a rhetorical device within creative writing genres.

Now, let’s look at academic writing:

Supposed to be read for information and analysis of real-life ideas.
Focused on fact-based information.
Clearly structured and orderly.
Usually written in the third person language only.
Readers of academic writing scan the texts for answers, not questions.

Academic writing should never, ever leave the reader in suspense. Therefore, rhetorical questions have no place in academic writing.

Academic writing should be in the third person – and rhetorical questions are not quite in the third person. The rhetorical question appears as if you are talking directly to the reader. It is almost like writing in the first person – an obvious fatal error in the academic writing genre.

Your marker will be reading your work looking for answers , not questions. They will be rushed, have many papers to mark, and have a lot of work to do. They don’t want to be entertained. They want answers.

Therefore, academic writing needs to be straight to the point, never leave your reader unsure or uncertain, and always signpost key ideas in advance.

Here’s an analogy:

When you came onto this post, you probably did not read everything from start to end. You probably read each sub-heading first, then came back to the top and started reading again. You weren’t interested in suspense or style. You wanted to find something out quickly and easily. I’m not saying this article you’re reading is ‘academic writing’ (it isn’t). But, what I am saying is that this text – like your essay – is designed to efficiently provide information first and foremost. I’m not telling you a story. You, like your teacher, are here for answers to a question. You are not here for a suspenseful story. Therefore, rhetorical questions don’t fit here.

I’ll repeat: rhetorical questions just don’t fit within academic writing genres.

2. Rhetorical Questions can come across as Passive

It’s not your place to ask a question. It’s your place to show your command of the content. Rhetorical questions are by definition passive: they ask of your reader to do the thinking, reflecting, and questioning for you.

Questions of any kind tend to give away a sense that you’re not quite sure of yourself. Imagine if the five points for this blog post were:

Are they unprofessional?
Are they passive?
Are they seen as padding?
Are they cliché?
Do teachers hate them?

If the sub-headings of this post were in question format, you’d probably – rightly – return straight back to google and look for the next piece of advice on the topic. That’s because questions don’t assist your reader. Instead, they demand something from your reader .

Questions – rhetorical or otherwise – a position you as passive, unsure of yourself, and skirting around the point. So, avoid them.

3. Rhetorical Questions are seen as Padding

When a teacher reads a rhetorical question, they’re likely to think that the sentence was inserted to fill a word count more than anything else.

>>>RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO MAKE AN ESSAY LONGER >>>RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO MAKE AN ESSAY SHORTER

Rhetorical questions have a tendency to be written by students who are struggling to come to terms with an essay question. They’re well below word count and need to find an extra 15, 20, or 30 words here and there to hit that much-needed word count.

In order to do this, they fill space with rhetorical questions.

It’s a bit like going into an interview for a job. The interviewer asks you a really tough question and you need a moment to think up an answer. You pause briefly and mull over the question. You say it out loud to yourself again, and again, and again.

You do this for every question you ask. You end up answering every question they ask you with that same question, and then a brief pause.

Sure, you might come up with a good answer to your rhetorical question later on, but in the meantime, you have given the impression that you just don’t quite have command over your topic.

4. Rhetorical Questions are hard to get right

As a literary device, the rhetorical question is pretty difficult to execute well. In other words, only the best can get away with it.

The vast majority of the time, the rhetorical question falls on deaf ears. Teachers scoff, roll their eyes, and sigh just a little every time an essay begins with a rhetorical question.

The rhetorical question feels … a little ‘middle school’ – cliché writing by someone who hasn’t quite got a handle on things.

Let your knowledge of the content win you marks, not your creative flair. If your rhetorical question isn’t as good as you think it is, your marks are going to drop – big time.

5. Teachers Hate Rhetorical Questions in Essays

This one supplants all other reasons.

The fact is that there are enough teachers out there who hate rhetorical questions in essays that using them is a very risky move.

Believe me, I’ve spent enough time in faculty lounges to tell you this with quite some confidence. My opinion here doesn’t matter. The sheer amount of teachers who can’t stand rhetorical questions in essays rule them out entirely.

Whether I (or you) like it or not, rhetorical questions will more than likely lose you marks in your paper.

Don’t shoot the messenger.

Some (possible) Exceptions

Personally, I would say don’t use rhetorical questions in academic writing – ever.

But, I’ll offer a few suggestions of when you might just get away with it if you really want to use a rhetorical question:

As an essay title. I would suggest that most people who like rhetorical questions embrace them because they are there to ‘draw in the reader’ or get them on your side. I get that. I really do. So, I’d recommend that if you really want to include a rhetorical question to draw in the reader, use it as the essay title. Keep the actual essay itself to the genre style that your marker will expect: straight up the line, professional and informative text.

“97 percent of scientists argue climate change is real. Such compelling weight of scientific consensus places the 3 percent of scientists who dissent outside of the scientific mainstream.”

The takeaway point here is, if I haven’t convinced you not to use rhetorical questions in essays, I’d suggest that you please check with your teacher on their expectations before submission.

Don’t shoot the messenger. Have I said that enough times in this post?

I didn’t set the rules, but I sure as hell know what they are. And one big, shiny rule that is repeated over and again in faculty lounges is this: Don’t Use Rhetorical Questions in Essays . They are risky, appear out of place, and are despised by a good proportion of current university teachers.

To sum up, here are my top 5 reasons why you shouldn’t use rhetorical questions in your essays:

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Animism Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 10 Magical Thinking Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?

21 Rhetorical Questions

Author biography.

@TeacherToolkit

What rhetorical questions would you ask ‘about education’?

I have a few provocative questions I’d like to ask and do not require any answers, although I’d be pleased to read your thoughts in the comments section below.

Do others under-estimate how hard it is to teach in a challenging school?
Is there anything negative about teaching in an inclusive school?
Should we treat SEN students with zero tolerance?
Can teachers ‘take risks’ in a school culture that seeks compliance – so that it can improve?
How do we know if OfSTED are correct in their judgements and processes of schools?
What do OfSTED inspectors ‘get out of school inspection’? Is it a satisfying process?
Do school inspectors realise they are part of the retention problem ?
Why do schools celebrate OfSTED inspections?
How many teachers leave the profession after an OfSTED inspection?
How do we know the current OfSTED framework can be applied fairly to all schools / context?
Why does OfSTED ignore school complaints ?
Why does OfSTED re-engineer their reports – to suit their judgements – after an inspection?
Why do OfSTED inspectors still ask school leaders to produce documents for a school inspection?
Do we under-value the work senior teachers do in our schools?
Is the job of a senior leader working in a challenging school, on a ‘hiding to nothing’?
Why is part-time a dirty word in education? Do schools support part-time requests for senior leaders?
In a landscape facing significant funding cuts, can single-status academies survive on their own?
Why is (Multi-Academy Trust) MAT allocation an opaque process?
What criteria is used when the (Department for Education) DfE select their ‘preferred partners’?
Is a MAT takeover, genuinely a ‘consultation’?
Can a MAT’s version of ‘Good’ be better than everyone else’s version of ‘Good’?

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5 thoughts on “ 21 Rhetorical Questions ”

This is a great set of questions that still make sense to me as a teacher in the USA without any direct knowledgeof the UK context. I would add to the list a question I am constantly asking in my work as a substitute (supply) teacher and doctoral student, “how many classrooms full of captive students does it take to shut down the megaprojects currently destroying the futures we/they are allegedly being prepared for?” See Playing to LIVE, Not Living to Pay preliminary notes v1.0 @ https://codylestelle.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/playingtolivezine1/ … I would love to hear your thoughts on this Ross, or anyone else reading this. It is a major challenge that I don’t easily find resources on…how do we take the level and urgency of our present crises seriously into our daily teaching practice and social interactions with students, staff, admin, and parents?

Why do we talk about what and how children should be learning stuff picked by politicians (who are untrusted – see Mori polls) instead of discussing why we do what we do as a profession?

How will the trad v prog debate benefit anyone outside of those who write trad/prog books/blogs?

Where is the value in forcing headteachers to take full responsibility for a flawed Ofsted system?

Why are values based approaches to systems, ethos and mission so scary to (some) schools?

What purpose do Free schools serve given they are not free and ideologically driven?

1. Yes, they do underestimate how difficult it is to teach in a challenging school. 4. It is very difficult to take risks in a school that demands compliance, I was observed recently and was told that because the data did not show enough of my students were making sufficient progress even though we are using a system where the grading is not understood (new gcse) , then I can only be given a 2, even though the kids were teaching the lesson and in groups and all books marked up to date using a 2 week cycle, using the school mark policy etc etc 5. We don’t know and when you go into a category, challenging the judgement is not clear. 7. I don’t think they do and I am not sure the care. 14. Yes. 15. Yes.

20. What do you mean by a takeover? Are you referring to cases where a school judged inadequate is “taken over” by a MAT which is believed to be able to help the school come out of the category?

Number 3. Zero Tolerance. Why? It is unattainable and leads to fruitless discussions and debates about the concept and its delivery/effectiveness instead of focusing on how and why we want to manage behaviours. When working in an inclusive environment there still remains a need for that community to have a set of rules to follow; review and agree. This process, in order to be effective, should involve all community members. Therefore, SEN students will be included in the process of tolerance and understanding that comes from creating and reviewing a set of rules that the inclusive community sets for itself. When asked students tend to be more open, flexible and understanding than many adults around them particularly when they are imposing irrational decisions based on zero tolerance. They know their peer group and know that that student who has punched a wall has done so because they are faced with circumstances too challenging to cope with. To see the adults around them then listen, show compassion, care and nurture that student to success has to the most effective response for everyone.

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44 Cool Examples of a Rhetorical Question to Understand it Better

Have you noticed how many questions cross your mind on a daily basis or how many you ask the people around you? Do you ever stop to wonder if these rhetorical questions really provide a satisfactory answer to what your seeking? Isn't it kind of pesky to be barraged with questions that you are unable to directly answer? Wouldn't it be nice to get a better understanding of rhetorical questions with relevant examples with this Penlighten post?

Examples of Rhetorical Question to Understand It Better

Have you noticed how many questions cross your mind on a daily basis or how many you ask the people around you? Do you ever stop to wonder if these rhetorical questions really provide a satisfactory answer to what your seeking? Isn’t it kind of pesky to be barraged with questions that you are unable to directly answer? Wouldn’t it be nice to get a better understanding of rhetorical questions with relevant examples with this Penlighten post?

Pun Intended!

During the 1580s English printer Henry Denham invented the ‘rhetorical question mark’ (؟) to be used at the end of a rhetorical question. The usage of this sardonic punctuation mark faded during the 17th century.

The ancient Athenians believed that success and charm of an individual depended on his rhetorical ability to speak and debate. The word rhetorical is derived from the Latin word rhetoricus and the Greek word rhetorikos which means skilled speaker or orator. The technical term for a rhetorical question is Erotema which in Greek means question. In literary terms, these questions are persuasive or thought-provoking, they can be humorous, self-explanatory, or reflective.

Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the phrase ‘rhetorical question’ first appeared in English more than 300 years ago. The dictionary further indicates that it was published for the first time on a political pamphlet written by the First Earl of Anglesey in 1686: ‘To this Rhetorical Question the Commons pray they may Answer by another Question’. In a 1721 religious text written by Robert Manning, an illustration as well as the rhetorical question with its phrase appears: ‘But, to turn your fine Rhetorical Question upon yourself, cannot you enjoy the Advantages you have over impenitent Sinners, and the Devils without Damning them all to the Pit of Hell forever?’

Rhetorical Question: A figure of speech indicating a question asked only to produce an effect or make a statement, rather than to evoke an answer or information. It is asked when the questioner already knows the answer or an answer is not really required.

Meaning & Purpose

★ The Greeks took lessons to mesmerize audiences with their oratory and public speaking skills mostly for political reasons and to influence the voter. The technique they applied to keep the crowd spellbound is known as rhetoric or with rhetorical questions. This technique is still used by politicians, lecturers, priests and other skilled orators to keep their audience in control and get engaged in their ideologies.

★ A rhetorical question may already have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks these questions to lay emphasis on the projected point. In literature, it is used for style and as a strong persuasive device. These questions provoke deep thoughts, sometimes impose sarcastic reasoning, and are often used as a tool during debates to avoid obtaining an immediate declaration.

★ Writers employ this technique for rhetorical effects to arouse the interest of the reader and enjoy the aesthetic beauty the questions generate. Effective speakers know how to stir audience reaction, such questions make the audience a partner of the speaker’s statements. Instead of presenting one-way emotional statements, the orator involves the audience more emotionally by invoking their curiosity and surprising them with a rhetorical question.

★ These questions can be used as an exclamation point on an introducing statement. While the introducing statement may be a factual statement, a rhetorical question forces your audience to think hard about it. Careful use of misdirection in a speech is an effective way of generating audience surprise, and this results in them being active participants. One form of misdirection is when you make a statement which leads in one direction, and then follow it up with a statement that pulls in the opposite direction.

★ A rhetorical question is a figure of speech that needs no expectation of a reply. The use of a rhetorical questions is mostly to encourage the listener to think about what the obvious answer to the question must be. Rhetorical questions can therefore be used as a device by the speaker to assert or deny something. Types of rhetorical questions include: Metaphors and Negative assertions.

General Rhetorical Questions

★ Is the Pope Catholic?

★Is this a great product?

★ Is the sky blue?

★ Do you want to be a big failure for the rest of your life?

★ Is there anyone smarter than me?

★ Is this supposed to be some kind of a joke?

★ There’s no hope, is there?

★ Who cares?

★ How much longer can this injustice continue?

★ Could I possibly love you more?

★ What the hell?

★ What is so rare as a day in June?

★ Would you like to swing on a star?

★ What defense do the homeless have, if the government will not protect them?

★ Smoking causes lung cancer. Who knew?

★ You were at the scene of the crime, correct?

★ How corrupt is the government?

★ If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?

★ It is near not a good place to visit. Is it?

★ You don’t expect me to go along with that crazy scheme, do you?

Funny Rhetorical Questions

★ If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

★ Marriage is a great Institution, but who wants to live in an institution?

★ Why are there locks on the doors to the convenience store that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?

★ Why does Teflon stick to the frying pan, since nothing ever sticks to Teflon?

★ Why are highways build so close to the ground?

★ Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?

★ Can good-looking Eskimo girls be called hot?

★ Do fish feel thirsty in the water?

★ Why do they call someone “late” if they died early?

★ Do man-eater sharks eat women too?

★ Why is it called ‘after dark’, when it is really after light?

★ Why don’t they call mustaches ‘mouthbrows?’

★ Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

★ Crime doesn’t pay… does that mean my job is a crime

★ Can you cry underwater?

★ Do pilots take crash courses?

★ If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren’t people from Holland called Holes?

★ Why isn’t the number 11 pronounced onety one?

★ What hair color do they put on the driver’s licenses of bald men?

★ Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person that drives a race car is not called a racist?

Rhetorical Questions in Literature

★ “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” ― Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”

★ Mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? ― Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

★ If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? ― Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”

Rhetorical Questions in Poetry

★ How do you think I feel when you make me talk to you and won’t let me stop till the words turn into a moan? Do you think I mind when you put your hand over my mouth and tell me not to move so you can “hear” it happening? ― Rhetorical Questions- Hugo Williams

Rhetoric question normally prompts an individual or a crowd to ponder upon their own opinions and notions rather than specifically answer out loud.

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COMMENTS

10 Rhetorical Questions To Create New Ideas For Learning
A desalination device. A field of fertile topsoil. A sculpture. An act of kindness. A painting. They were given a 'thing' and had to do something with that thing. Had to somehow deconstruct it—find genius in the genius—and then use that idea on their own, in a way that made their eyes sparkle.
Rhetorical Question
Rhetorical Question Examples in Political Speeches. Rhetorical questions often "challenge" the listener to contradict what the speaker is saying. If the speaker frames the rhetorical question well, it gives the impression that his or her view is true and that it would be foolish, or even impossible, to contradict the speaker's argument.
Rhetorical Question
It is not very difficult to tell how to punctuate a rhetorical question. It either ends on a question mark or a period. However, it is to be kept in mind that if the question occurs in the middle of a simple or complex sentence, it does not require any punctuation mark. If, on the other hand, it occurs by the end of the sentence or text, then it needs a question mark.
Rhetorical Question Examples + Definition
Example #3. `Take some more tea,' the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. `I've had nothing yet,' Alice replied in an offended tone, `so I can't take more.'. `You mean you can't take less ,' said the Hatter: `it's very easy to take more than nothing.'. `Nobody asked your opinion,' said Alice.
How to use Rhetorical Questions in your Speech, with Examples
How to use rhetorical questions in a speech. 1. Engage the audience. Ask a rhetorical question to engage the audience and pause to allow them to think of an answer. This gets the audience to actively participate rather than passively listen as they create hypotheses or resolutions. For example: asking "Why is practicing mindfulness beneficial ...
What Is a Rhetorical Question? Definition & Helpful Examples
Epiplexis. Epiplexis is a type of rhetorical question that is used to rebuke or reprimand the audience. It challenges and engages the audience in a pointed and sometimes confrontational manner. This type of rhetorical device is meant to persuade (or shame) the audience into accepting the speaker's perspective. I can't believe you skipped class.
Rhetorical Questions
When the speaker or writer asks a question and then answers it, it's not, strictly speaking, a rhetorical question, either. For example, a speaker might ask, "How did we get into this mess?" and then give an analysis of what went wrong. That's more of a dialogue, with the question being used as a transition, to show the reader what's ...
Rhetorical Questions for English Learners
Rhetorical questions can be defined as questions that are not really meant to be answered. Rather, rhetorical questions are asked in order to make a point about a situation or to point out something for consideration. This is a very different usage than yes/no questions or information questions. Let's quickly review these two basic types before ...
Rhetorical Question: Definition, Use, and Examples
Here are some examples of rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question can be used to make a positive point: What's not to like? (It's like saying "I like it", which is a statement.) ... as homework print test as handout display page QR code. Test Time! This test is printable and sendable.
Rhetorical Question: Definition and Examples
An "aporia" is a rhetorical expression of doubt, usually when the author doesn't actually feel the doubt. An aporia is often expressed in question form, and in these cases it's an example of a rhetorical question. It's often used in philosophy and other argument-heavy fields when the author wants to move the conversation forward.
Rhetorical Question Examples
These are all rhetorical question examples. They have obvious answers because, of course, water is wet, and nope, sorry, pigs don't fly. These rhetorical questions, also called rhetorical affirmations, can be used to talk about facts or to emphasize a point. The answers could also be suggested from context clues.
Rhetorical Question Examples and Definition
What is a rhetorical question? These rhetorical question examples show they can have an obvious answer or none at all. They make a point or make you think.
Rhetorical Questions: 30 Effective Examples and Definition
Rhetorical questions are a powerful tool in the realm of persuasive communication. They are a form of interrogative expression used to make a point or convey a message rather than to elicit a direct response. These questions are crafted with a specific intention, often to provoke thought, engage the audience, or emphasize a particular idea.
Rhetorical Questions in Essays: 5 Things you should Know
Rhetorical Question Examples. A rhetorical question is a type of metacommentary.It is a question whose purpose is to add creative flair to your writing. It is a way of adding style to your essay.. Rhetorical questions usually either have obvious answers, or no answers, or do not require an answer.Here are some examples:
What Is A Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question is a figure of speech which comes in the form of a question that makes a point instead of seeking an answer. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis on the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident, and used for style as an impressive persuasive device.
What are rhetorical questions?
Rhetorical questions are a useful technique in persuasive writing. As there is nobody to answer the question, a rhetorical question is usually designed to speak directly to the reader. It allows ...
Rhetorical question
Rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is a question asked for a purpose other than to obtain information. [1] In many cases it may be intended to start a discourse, as a means of displaying or emphasizing the speaker's or author's opinion on a topic. A simple example is the question "Can't you do anything right?"
21 Rhetorical Questions
Definition: Rhetorical - adjective: asked in order to produce an effect or to make a statement rather than to elicit information. Do others under-estimate how hard it is to teach in a challenging school? Is there anything negative about teaching in an inclusive school? Should we treat SEN students with zero tolerance? Can teachers 'take ...
PDF Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical Questions A rhetorical question is a question that is asked, but there is no need for a reply. For example: Who doesn't like chocolate? 1. Decide whether these questions are rhetorical (R) or non-rhetorical (N). ... if they didn't have to do homework! Thirdly, all families are different. Some students might need to help out after
44 Cool Examples of a Rhetorical Question to Understand it Better
The ancient Athenians believed that success and charm of an individual depended on his rhetorical ability to speak and debate. The word rhetorical is derived from the Latin word rhetoricus and the Greek word rhetorikos which means skilled speaker or orator. The technical term for a rhetorical question is Erotema which in Greek means question. In literary terms, these questions are persuasive ...
Rhetorical Questions Interactive Activity
Turn the activity into a movement game. Label one side of the classroom as rhetorical questions and the other side as non-rhetorical questions. Have the students move to a side of the room each time to indicate their choice about the question on the slide. Have all the students stand in their place. As a class, decide on an action, hand gesture ...
PDF Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical Questions . A rhetorical question is a question that is asked, but there is no need for a reply. For example: Who doesn't like chocolate? 1. Decide whether these questions are rhetorical (R) or non- rhetorical (N). ... if they didn't have to do homework! Thirdly, all families are different. Some students might need to help out after

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Aporia and Rhetorical Questions

Aporia Without Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical Question Examples

Rhetorical Questions in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice :

Rhetorical questions in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet :

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Rhetorical Questions in Ronald Reagan's 1980 Republican National Convention Acceptance Address:

Rhetorical Questions in Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic National Convention Speech:

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Examples of Rhetorical Questions in Literature

Example #1: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Example #2: Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Example #3: Creation by Hladia Porter Stewart

Example #4: The Solitary Reaper by William Wordsworth

Example #5: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Function of Rhetorical Question

Synonyms of Rhetorical Question

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2. Personalise your questions

3. Persuade the audience

4. Evoke emotions

5. Emphasise a statement

6. Predict the audiences questions

7. Answer questions with questions

8. Consecutive rhetorical questions

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Formal Definition

(Benefit 1) Rhetorical questions make good titles and are engaging.

(Benefit 2) Rhetorical questions can be diplomatic.

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