Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 12 AIL 1123 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Rhetorical Question
Captions available
The idea
A rhetorical question is asked for effect rather than for an answer, usually because the answer is meant to be obvious. The glossary has no headword for it. It recruits the reader into supplying the conclusion, which makes the conclusion feel like the reader's own.
In practice
The reader supplies the answer.
Where people slip
The conclusion then feels self-made.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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