College Composition / Unit 29 CMP 0705 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Rhetorical Questions
Captions available
The idea
A rhetorical question is asked not for an answer but for effect, to lead readers toward a point or create drama.
In practice
"Do you think poverty will go away by itself?" invites readers to answer no, and so to accept the need for action.
Where people slip
A rhetorical question can also hide an unsupported assumption; check what answer it takes for granted.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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