What is a rhetorical question? Why do we use them? Learn about types, definition, and examples

Why would you ask a question that doesn’t expect an answer? There are several reasons, but chances are you’re using a rhetorical question.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what rhetorical questions are, why we use them, the different types, and plenty of examples.

What is a rhetorical question?

A rhetorical question is a type of question that we ask to emphasize a point or create a certain effect, without expecting an answer.

Although they take the form of a question, rhetorical questions are really just figures of speech. You are not supposed to provide a response; only perhaps to reflect on the message being conveyed.

For example, if I’m having a terrible day, I might comment “Could this day get any worse?“. I’m not expecting you to come up with a list of things that could happen to make my day worse. It’s just a way of expressing despair, perhaps hoping for some sympathy.

In another example, a father might say to his child “How many times do I have to ask you to clear the table when you’ve finished eating?“. He is not expecting that the child has kept count and will answer with a number. He is really saying “I wish you would learn to clear the table after you eat, without being reminded.”

These questions can be used in literature, poetry, debates, persuasive writing, and everyday conversation.

Before we look at why we use rhetorical questions, here are some more common examples:

• Who cares?
• Can’t you do anything right?
• Who do you think you are?
• Isn’t it a beautiful day?
• Did you get dressed in the dark?
• Guess what?
• How should I know?
• Would it kill you to admit I’m right?
• Why do bad things always happen to me?
• How many times do I have to tell you?
• What is he thinking?
• Who’s counting?
• Can you blame her?
• Are you kidding me?

Keep reading for more helpful examples with specific purposes like persuasion, agreeing, and disagreeing.

Why do we use rhetorical questions?

We can use rhetorical questions to:

• Persuade people
• Evoke emotions
• Provoke thought
• Guide narrative
• Express frustration
• Convey agreement or disagreement
• Introduce a surprise or a plot twist
• Answer a question or make a point with humor or sarcasm

Let’s look at a few of these uses in more detail.

Persuasive rhetorical questions

If you are speaking or writing to persuade someone about something, rhetorical questions can help you ridicule an argument, inspire action, challenge beliefs, and encourage personal reflection.

Some phrases that might be used in persuasive rhetorical questions include:

• Don’t you think that…
• Wouldn’t you rather…
• Do you really believe that…
• Can we afford to…
• Isn’t it about time…
• Is this really…
• Can you imagine…
• Why don’t we…

You’ll often hear phrases like these in speeches, debates, and essays.

Here are some examples with more context:

• Is this really what we have lowered ourselves to?
• Isn’t it about time we took action to protect our environment?
• Can we afford to ignore the needs of the most vulnerable in our society?
• Can you imagine a world without homelessness?
• Do you really believe that they can keep their promises?
• Wouldn’t you rather be able to enter the workplace debt-free?

Using rhetorical questions effectively can help you engage your audience and make a compelling argument.

Avoiding direct criticism

Another purpose of rhetorical questions is to avoid direct criticism or to soften the blow of a harsh message by using humor. For instance:

Did you get dressed in the dark? The implication is that you are not well dressed or your clothes don’t match. The use of humor through this rhetorical question makes the comment less direct.

What time do you call this? You could say this to someone who has arrived late, especially if you have been waiting a long time for them.

Are you kidding me? This can be said in excitement or exasperation. For the latter, it’s a kinder way of saying “What you just said is so unacceptable, I hope it isn’t true.”

Different types of rhetorical question

There are several types of rhetorical question that take a specific form or serve a specific purpose. Let’s take a closer look at anthypophora, epiplexis, and erotesis.

Anthypophora and hypophora: Answering your own question

Technically, ‘hypophora’ refers to the question and ‘anthypophora’ refers to the answer in this literary device where the speaker (or writer) poses a question and then immediately answers it.

In reality, both terms are used interchangeably to refer to the device as a whole.

Anthypophora is often used by speakers to address questions the audience might have in their minds, demonstrating like-minded thinking and keeping control of the discourse. It can also help change the direction of a speech, catch the audience’s attention, or emphasize a point.

Examples of this type of rhetorical question with an answer include:

• So, where are we going to find the money to fund this project? We will reassign some budget from X and Y.
• What was the result of all of this? We made a new discovery.
• Who is going to benefit from this policy? You all are.
• What is the motto of this business? Success through unity. What does that mean? It means we all have a part to play.
• Finally, she was safe. Or was she? The door creaked open to reveal a shady figure.

Epiplexis: Provoking remorse or shame

The purpose of epiplexis as a rhetorical device is to reproach, rebuke, admonish, or shame the listener or reader and convert them to the speaker or writer’s way of thinking.

You might hear this type of rhetorical question in a debate, a political speech, or a piece of persuasive writing. Equally, it can be used when a parent is reprimanding a child, an employer is chiding an employee, and so on.

Here are some examples of epiplexis:

• Why would you do such a thing?
• Who would want to let these children starve when it’s in your power to feed them?
• Do you think money grows on trees?
• You have been late to work three days in a row. Are you trying to get yourself fired?
• Why are you using that kind of language?
• Do you want to end up in the emergency room over this?
• Who do you think you are?
• How many times do I have to ask you to tidy your room?

Erotesis: Stirring emotions

Erotesis is designed to elicit a strong emotional response from the audience. When the question is posed, the expected response, whether spoken or unspoken, is already obvious (and is often a resounding ‘no’).

This type of question can stir an audience’s emotions and appeal to their sentiments.

Examples of erotesis include:

• Are we going to let the other side win?
• Do you want to be stuck in this job for the rest of your life?
• Is it really worth risking your house for this investment?
• Do you want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

You’ll often hear this type of language in advertising campaigns, rallies, and any scenario where a person is trying to get others on their side.

You might also want to read about indirect questions which, although not strictly rhetorical, are sometimes asked with no intention of receiving a response.

Rhetorical question examples

We have already given plenty of examples, but here are some more that might help if you’re still learning about rhetorical questions in English:

Common rhetorical questions

Although there is no fixed list of rhetorical questions in English – you are free to have fun creating your own – there are certain examples that occur regularly in everyday speech and have become idiomatic in nature.

Here are some examples of common rhetorical questions with their meanings:

Examples of rhetorical questions in literature

William Shakespeare was a master of rhetorical questions, using them to uncover the inner thoughts and motivations of his characters.

One of the most profound examples is the iconic soliloquy ‘To be, or not to be’ in Hamlet, as the character contemplates life and death.

We also see Juliet questioning the importance of a name in Romeo and Juliet:

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet

In Julius Caesar, Brutus asks “Who is here so vile that will not love his country?”, knowing that nobody will speak up. Later, Marc Antony, reflecting on Caesar’s conquests, says “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?”

And the famous line ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’ comes from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18.

There are plenty of other examples of rhetorical questions in poetry.

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem Ode to the West Wind ends with a rhetorical question:

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

And William Wordsworth used several rhetorical questions in this stanza of his poem The Solitary Reaper:

Will no one tell me what she sings?—
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?

Funny rhetorical questions for ‘yes’

If you want a witty or sarcastic way to answer a question with a definite ‘yes’, try one of these rhetorical affirmatives:

• Is water wet?
• Is the sky blue?
• Is the sun hot?
• Is the Pope Catholic?
• Does a bear poop in the woods?
• Do fish swim?
• Do birds fly?
• What’s the opposite of ‘no’?
• Do snakes have knees?

Note that these are colloquial expressions and should only be used in casual settings.

Summary

Rhetorical questions are common in English, from the intricate plays of Shakespeare to political speeches to marketing strategies to everyday conversations.

They provoke thought, stir emotions, challenge norms, and subtly guide our thinking – but they all have one thing in common: a question asked for effect, with no answer expected.

We hope this guide has helped broaden your vocabulary as you learn how to use rhetorical questions yourself!

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