Rhetorical Question (Literary Term)

Basic Facts:

• A rhetorical question is a figure of speech.
• It is in the form of a question posed for its persuasive effect.
• There is no expectation of a reply.
• The use of a rhetorical questions is mostly to encourage the listener to think about what the (often obvious) answer to the question must be.
• The answer to a rhetorical question is quite often obvious.
• Rhetorical questions can therefore be used as a device by the speaker to assert or deny something.

Forms of rhetorical questions include:

• Metaphors
• Negative assertions

Rhetorical Question History:

• Henry Denham in the 1580s invented a "rhetorical question mark" for use at the end of a rhetorical question.
• The symbol was the reverse of an ordinary question mark - the main opening pointing away from the question (pictured).

Rhetorical Question Examples:

• Does a bear shit in the woods?
• For what can war but endless war still breed? (Milton)
• If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why practice? (Billy Corgan)
• Is the Pope Catholic?
• Is the sky blue?
• Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution? (H. L. Mencken)

Tags: 1580s - Figure of Speech - Henry Denham - Metaphor - Negative Assertion - Rhetorical Question - Question - Question Mark
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