A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.
the presentation was characterized by impossibly long sentences and a succession of rhetorical questions
Is nothing sacred? That's a rhetorical question, BTW
Example sentencesExamples
It poses a series of rhetorical questions on how a poet may be recognized and ends in an epigrammatic fashion, revealing its answer succinctly at the end.
All present took it, rightly, as a rhetorical question and did our best to nod agreement.
In the talks I give, I raise a rhetorical question about how values function and how they apply to our own lives.
I only wish to clarify the rhetorical question that I posed (and to which you graciously replied).
I'm just doing my journalistic duty and posing interesting rhetorical questions to get you to think.
Winfrey finished her tale with the rhetorical question: "now why did she do that?"
The close intensity of their conversation and correspondence is highlighted by Barrett Browning's frequent use of ellipses and rhetorical questions.
She has decided to take refuge in her job, asking the rhetorical question, "Why do I need a personal life if my work makes me happy?"
Before positing his rhetorical question, however, Mills goes for a more direct approach: "You people are going to respect me if it kills you."
He allows them to respond to his rhetorical questions, giving them an even greater sense that he cares about them and their opinions.
Definition of rhetorical question in US English:
rhetorical question
noun
A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.
the presentation was characterized by impossibly long sentences and a succession of rhetorical questions
Is nothing sacred? That's a rhetorical question, BTW
Example sentencesExamples
Before positing his rhetorical question, however, Mills goes for a more direct approach: "You people are going to respect me if it kills you."
It poses a series of rhetorical questions on how a poet may be recognized and ends in an epigrammatic fashion, revealing its answer succinctly at the end.
I'm just doing my journalistic duty and posing interesting rhetorical questions to get you to think.
The close intensity of their conversation and correspondence is highlighted by Barrett Browning's frequent use of ellipses and rhetorical questions.
He allows them to respond to his rhetorical questions, giving them an even greater sense that he cares about them and their opinions.
All present took it, rightly, as a rhetorical question and did our best to nod agreement.
In the talks I give, I raise a rhetorical question about how values function and how they apply to our own lives.
She has decided to take refuge in her job, asking the rhetorical question, "Why do I need a personal life if my work makes me happy?"
Winfrey finished her tale with the rhetorical question: "now why did she do that?"
I only wish to clarify the rhetorical question that I posed (and to which you graciously replied).