What are rhetorical questions?

Rhetorical questions are questions which do not require the listener or reader to respond. These can be used for a variety of different functions e.g. a hook, to invite thought, to question an alternative view. A hook is the start of a piece of writing which opens on something which is interesting and entertaining, therefore persuading you to continue reading or listening. This is most common in speeches, for example, "Have you ever considered the amount of single use plastic you use over a year?" This makes the topic relevant to the audience and allows them to understand what this speech's topic is going to be.

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.

These are questions asked by authors that are not actually intended to be answered, but instead asked so the reader can think more deeply about the topic which the question discusses. A common example of an everyday rhetorical question is 'who would've thought?' as you would not actually give an answer of who you think may have thought this, instead it is used to emphasise the surprise of what you just found out.

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.

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

A rhetorical question is simply a question that is said to make a point rather than asking for an answer. An example could be “what time do you call this?”

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.

A rhetorical question is a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to prove a point.

Questions that do not require an answer

A rhetorical question is one that is posed to the audience to instigate thought, but does not require an answer. It is often used in text when a character is talking to themselves or you are reading their thoughts.

Rhetorical questions are questions that do not require an answer. For example, often questions ending in question tags are rhetorical. "Lovely day, isn't it," or "He's a bit of an old duffer, isn't he." Strictly speaking, those are practically statements, that is, not questions at all. Be careful though, because tone of voice is important here. If there's a questioning sound at the end, they might want a little agreement, a "yes", or a "sure". Another example would be somebody who is trying to make a point, and they use the question as an emphasis. Like, a mum whose toddler is crying, and she wants her husband to take him out. "I think James would like to go to the park, wouldn't he?" She doesn't really want an answer, she wants an action. Sometimes such questions are used in a way that's quite rude. Somebody might say, "Why don't you go and stuff yourself!?" They don't want an answer to that! Or, for something positive, "You're so cool, everyone wants to be like you don't they?"

Rhetorical questions are not real questions, but they are used to emphasize what we want to say. We do not wait for an answer. Your friend arrives for a wedding ceremony in casual clothes and you tell him: "Do you call this an outfit for a wedding?"

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

These are questions that do not require an answer or are used when the answer is already known and the speaker is trying to make a certain point

A rhetorical question is one that does not require an answer. It's used to make a point, rather than to gain an answer.