What is a Rhetorical Question?

1. 60

   Jangaplanetposted 14 years ago

   What is a Rhetorical Question?

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2. 86

   Phyllis Doyleposted 14 years ago

   In a sense, if I answered this question, I would be doing so unnecessarily.

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3. 84

   Hyphenbirdposted 14 years ago

   A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question posed for its persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply. Rhetorical questions encourage the listener to think about what the (often obvious) answer to the question must be.
   The rhetorical question is usually defined as any question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information the question asks.
   So, perhaps you were asking just for effect?.......lol

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4. 38

   maria.roseposted 14 years ago

   A rhetorical  question, in simple terms, describes a question often based on rhetoric that does not necessarily require an answer. In fact, it is often a way of making a tentative statement but phrasing it in the form of a question.

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5. 61

   parthaviposted 14 years ago

   It is a question that is asked for effect, not for eliciting an answer. If someone says, 'What earthly caused can be served by a war that results in so much of devastation?' conveys a message that war doesn't serve any purpose but only causes destruction. If this were stated in an affirmative form as, 'No earthly purpose can be served by a war that causes so much of devastation' it may not produce the same effect. A rhetorical question, in a way, challenges the listeners that they can't answer the question and therefore has no choice except to accept the implied message contained in the question. A rhetoric will not be accepted as a logical argument.

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6. 61

   BretSalleeposted 14 years ago

   Do you expect me to answer that?
   
   :-)
   
   I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist.  It was a hanging fast ball.  The other commenters put it much more elegantly.
   
   
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7. 76

   gclittyposted 14 years ago

   Why does obama not understand the fundamental laws of economics?

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8. 0

   David99999posted 14 years ago

   A rhetorical question is a question to which you know the answer before you ask it.

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