1. What are rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions are questions that are not meant to be answered; people ask them to make a point, provoke thought, or emphasise an idea. In this lesson, we will learn what rhetorical questions are, how they work, and how you can use them correctly in speaking and writing.
Examples of rhetorical questions:
- Isn’t it a beautiful day? (Emphasising the beauty of the day.)
- Why bother? (Suggesting that something is not worth the effort.)
- How could anyone disagree? (Implying that the answer is obvious.)
2. Usage and purpose of rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions serve several purposes in communication:
- To provoke thought: They encourage the audience to reflect on a topic.
- To emphasise a point: They draw attention to an idea or argument.
- To engage the audience: They make the listener or reader feel involved in the conversation.
- To express emotions: They can convey frustration, sarcasm, or excitement.
3. Types of rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions can be categorised based on their purpose. Here are some common types:
| Type |
Purpose |
Example |
| Emphatic |
To emphasise a point |
Isn’t it obvious? |
| Provocative |
To provoke thought |
What if we tried something different? |
| Expressive |
To express emotion |
Why does this always happen to me? |
| Persuasive |
To persuade the audience |
Wouldn’t you want to save money? |
Rhetorical questions follow the same grammatical structure as regular questions. However, their tone and context make them distinct. Here is how to form them:
- Use question words: Start with what, why, how, who, etc.
- Invert subject and verb: For example, "Is it not clear?" instead of "It is not clear."
- Adjust tone: Use intonation to signal that no answer is expected.
Examples:
- What’s not to love? (Instead of: Everyone loves this.)
- Who knows? (Instead of: No one knows.)
- Why even try? (Instead of: It’s not worth trying.)
5. Examples of rhetorical questions in everyday life
Rhetorical questions are common in everyday conversations, literature, speeches, formal presentations, and advertising.
5.1 Examples of rhetorical questions in conversations
- Are you kidding me? (Expressing disbelief.)
- Who does that? (Criticising someone’s behaviour.)
- Who wouldn't be happy winning the lottery?
- Who wouldn't want a pay rise?
- Isn’t life full of surprises?
- Aren’t we all in the same boat?
- When will I ever learn?
- Don’t we all need a break sometimes?
- Who doesn’t want peace?
5.2 Examples of rhetorical questions in literature
Rhetorical questions appear across various forms of literature. They serve to engage audiences and provoke thought. In Shakespearean works, they are often employed to reveal the characters' inner turmoil, heighten dramatic tension, and challenge the audience’s perspective. These questions add depth to dialogues and soliloquies to make the characters' struggles and dilemmas more relatable and impactful. Similarly, in the Bible, rhetorical questions are frequently used to convey divine wisdom, moral lessons, and the limitations of human understanding. They serve as tools for teaching, reflection, and emphasising the greatness of God’s power and plan.
- "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" (Shakespeare, emphasising beauty.)
- "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" (Shakespeare, highlighting shared humanity.)
- "If you poison us, do we not die?" (Shakespeare asks an obvious question where the answer is known to everyone but it evokes empathy and highlights injustice.)
- "Am I my brother’s keeper?" (Genesis 4:9) This question is asked by Cain after he kills his brother Abel.
- "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:27) Jesus used this rhetorical question to teach about trusting God and not being consumed by anxiety. The implied answer is "no".
- "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) Paul uses this rhetorical question to reassure believers of God’s power and protection. The implied answer is that no one can truly stand against those whom God supports.
5.3 Examples of rhetorical questions in speeches
- Barack Obama – “Yes we can” speech (2008)
- "Is there anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible?"
- "Who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time?"
- "Who still questions the power of our democracy?"
- Malala Yousafzai - United Nations speech (2013)
- "Why is it that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?" Malala used this rhetorical question to highlight the disparity in global priorities regarding education and violence.
5.4 Examples of rhetorical questions in advertising
Advertisers like to pose questions that resonate with the audience’s desires, needs, or values. They invite consumers to reflect on their own experiences and consider the product or service being promoted.
- Why wait? (Encouraging immediate action.)
- Isn’t it time for a change?" (Persuading the audience to try something new.)
- Why settle for ordinary when you can achieve extraordinary?
- Isn’t life better with a little more energy?
- Why settle for less when you can have the best in your hands? This question challenges consumers to choose a premium product over competitors.
- Doesn’t your pet deserve the best? This question taps into pet owners' love for their animals and encourages them to prioritise quality.
- Why blend in when you were born to stand out? This question is suitable for a clothing brand. It promotes individuality and self-expression through fashion.
6. Cautionary words
When using rhetorical questions, avoid these common errors:
- Overusing them: Too many rhetorical questions can sound repetitive or insincere.
- Using them inappropriately: Avoid rhetorical questions in formal writing where direct statements are preferred.
- Confusing tone: Ensure your tone matches the intent, or the question may be misunderstood.
7. Exercise
Which of the following questions are rhetorical? Check your answers below.
- What time is it?
- Who cares?
- Can you pass the salt?
- Isn’t it obvious?
- Where did you put the keys?
- Do you want to be late?
- Are you kidding me?
Click here to check the answer
▼
- Direct (Expects an answer.)
- Rhetorical (No answer expected.)
- Direct (Expects an action.)
- Rhetorical (Emphasises obviousness.)
- Direct (Expects an answer.)
- Rhetorical (Usually said to urge someone to hurry; you don’t expect “Yes” as an answer.)
- Rhetorical (Expresses surprise or disbelief, not a genuine question.)
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