If you could him me the meaning and an example that would be great! Thank's!
2006-06-28 07:32:26 · 17 answers · asked by Dan =] 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. ("How many times do I have to tell you to stop walking into the house with mud on your shoes?").
A rhetorical question seeks to encourage reflection within the listener as to what the answer to the question (at least, the answer implied by the questioner) must be. When a speaker declaims, "How much longer must our people endure this injustice?" or "Will our company grow or shrink?", no formal answer is expected. Rather, it is a device used by the speaker to assert or deny something.
What's the matter with you?"
"Don't you know any better?"
"Have you no shame?"
"Is the Pope Catholic?"
"Does a bear **** in the woods?"
"Do fish swim?"
"Are you crazy?"
"Who cares?"
"How should I know?"
"Are you kidding me?"
2006-06-28 07:37:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical question is any question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the answer that the question asks. One example would be "Why are you so stupid?" is more a statement expressing ones opinion of the person one is addressing the question towards.
A rhetorical question is often used as means of asking the opinion of those listening to the speaker.
2006-06-28 14:52:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical question is a question that doesn't need an answer. For example when a child does something without using their common sense and it results in an accident that could have been prevented an their parent might ask "What is wrong with you?" this question doesn't need an answer because it is just an exclamation of anger.
2006-06-28 14:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by parchessey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical question is one to which no anwer is expected. For example one can ask 'why me God?' It is more likely to be an expression of a feeling rather than a request for information. If one asks 'why are you so stupid?' It is more a pronunciation of what the person thinks of someone. Rather than wanting an answer. Hope this helps
2006-06-28 14:41:45 · answer #4 · answered by Aryeebebe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical question requires no answer. It's the kind of question you might ask yourself. For example, if you were exhausted at work one day you might think "why am I doing this?!"
2006-06-28 16:51:00 · answer #5 · answered by Shona L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rhetor or in Greek ΡηÏÏÏ is in Greek the one who talks to the people,the talker who asks questions without waiting any answers or just trying to impress the audience
2006-06-30 14:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by qwine2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical question is a question that you don't really expect an answer to.
Ex: Why is the sky so blue?
2006-06-28 14:42:41 · answer #7 · answered by scnny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I told you, would you be better off?
Most people will probably be answering this with rhetorical questions.
2006-06-28 14:37:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's used to persuade people. Commonly, it's used at the beginning of a paragraph on an essay to lead to the topic. It's also a question that can't be answered with ONE answer.
EX: Was life always good during the 1920s?
2006-06-28 14:38:25 · answer #9 · answered by green cow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a question that does not expect an answer from another party. One posses it merely as stylistic in speech, it is asks in order to by answered by the person who posed it.
Why would anyone want to go there? I'll tell you why...
Not sure if I can explain it any better.
2006-06-28 14:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋