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A rhetorical question is a question that you ask without expecting an answer. It is used to make a point or make someone think about something, but the listener/reader is not expected to respond. Rhetorical questions can be used in speaking or writing to engage the listener/reader, and you may find them in advertising, presentations, speeches, essays, articles, and more! They can be found especially in the first line of an introduction or the last line of a conclusion.
For example, imagine beginning an article on out-of-body experiences like this:
- Have you ever had the feeling of watching yourself do something from above?
Or a speech about taxes like this:
- Ever wonder where your taxes go? (Note: This is an informal reduced form of the question “Do you ever wonder where your taxes go?”)
Or ending an essay on climate change like this:
- If climate change isn’t dealt with in our lifetimes, what kind of world will be left for our children?
Overusing rhetorical questions can be annoying to your listener/reader. However, when they’re used in moderation, they can be effective at getting your audience’s attention and making them think about your point(s).
For more information on rhetorical questions, check out this article by the BBC.
Or this one about how to use rhetorical questions in your speech.
I hope this helps you to be more aware of rhetorical questions when you listen and read, and perhaps you’ll even start using them yourself!
Zach
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