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GCSE

Writing for an Audience

Question

What are rhetorical questions?

2 years ago

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101 Replies

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5535 views

J

Juwan Fritsch


101 Answers

D
Devika Tailor

Rhetorical questions are questions that are asked but that do not require an answer, usually because the question is asked to make a point meaning that the answer is obvious or that the asker is about to explain themselves.

E
Esther Arinze-Opara

A question asked which requires no given answer

C
Cerian Williams

A rhetorical question is a question that does not need to be answered. They are often used for dramatic effect or as a persuasive device.

Carly J Profile Picture
Carly J Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Creative British English Specialist (10 years of experience)

Rhetorical questions are questions where the main purpose isn’t to elicit an actual response in physical form. Instead, rhetorical questions are used to create emphasis of an already existing point (for example in persuasive writing, where we already know the opinion of the writer) or to invite or inspire speculation in the reader or the audience.


Some examples:

Spitting is a nasty habit. But I don’t really need to tell you that, do I?


Where would we be today if mobile phones didn’t exist?


Isn’t sunshine just so amazing!?


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Tom H Profile Picture
Tom H Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Hi everyone, I am a friendly, patient and experienced English teacher

A rhetorical question is a question that requires no answer. They are often used as a persuasive technique, for example in advertising campaigns and political speeches.

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Jodie Profile Picture
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Rhetorical questions do not require an answer. They are used to engage the audience and to make the audience think about the answer. It helps to connect the speaker/writer to their audience. For example in a persuasive speech about banning school uniform a speaker/writer might begin by saying, ‘Have you ever thought about all of the money your parents waste on buying you that hideous school uniform? ‘. This would make the audience consider their own view whilst it clearly shows that the speaker/writer disagrees with school uniform.

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N
Niamh

Rhetorical questions are questions that do not require an answer, for example; 'what time do you call this?'. The person speaking is not actually wanting a response of the time, the intention is to vocalise how they think the person they are talking to, is late. It requires the other person to infer this information and not take the question literally. They are usually used in writing for dramatic effect and provoke thought.

N
Naila Irfan

Hello there,

Rhetorical questions are questions that you mainly use in a persuasive text that you are writing. It usually is answers that cannot be answered but makes the reader think and usually persuades them to know what the text is about. It can also be used as part of emotive language.

L
Laura

a question used for dramatic effect that does not require an answer

D
Diego Smart

A rhetorical question is conducted in a manor that creates dramatic effect without out any real substance, rather than going straight to the point!

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Najma M Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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Questions that do not require an answer. 

Example: What sort of person am I? How I will I escape? Where am I? 

Makes the reader question themselves or the character's judgement.


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N
Nabeelah-Florence Akhtar

Questions that do not require an answer: i.e “Can you believe it?”

J
Jenna

A question that is asked to make a point rather than to receive an answer.


Kerry B Profile Picture
Kerry B Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

English Teacher/Tutor

Rhetorical questions are questions the author uses that dont require a response. They are questions used to make the reader think deeply about the subject of the question.


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M
Meerab Zahoor

Hey there. Rhetorical questions are questions that are not meant to be answered. Usually the person asking them is either talking to themselves, or being sarcastic in a way. For example if your friend says “you wouldn’t want me to starve now would you?” That would imply the question not to be answered because obviously you don’t want your friend to starve. Rhetorical questions are form of language device to make you think more about the character or person and maybe how they interpret or feel.

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