- What are rhetorical questions?
- characteristics
- How does it work?
- Examples of rhetorical questions
- In poetry
- Applications
- References
A rhetorical question is one that is made without the intention of obtaining an answer, the issuer simply asks it to specify his own perception of a certain situation. The formulation of these questions seeks to generate reflection in the receiver so that they change their thinking or behavior.
To expand on what has been explained above, it is necessary to emphasize that a rhetorical question is not always directed to someone in particular. This means that the person asking the question only wants to express some kind of feeling or emotion more intensely. An example of what is described is: "Where is my enthusiasm for life?"
On the other hand, this type of question is also used in everyday conversation, in conferences, speeches or in arguments to convince. Similarly, a rhetorical question is called an erotheme. The word erotema originates from the Latin erotêma and the Greek word erôtêma. The previous terms are translated into Spanish as "ask".
What are rhetorical questions?
Rhetorical questions can be defined as those that are formulated without the intention of generating a dialogue or reply, but to invite the listener to link with the same thought of the speaker. Otherwise, these questions can add sarcasm or criticism to the idea being conveyed.
Now, when rhetorical questions are asked, it is necessary for the listener to be clear that they do not have to answer, this facilitates communication.
It may happen that asking a rhetorical question will get an answer. This case occurs when a person does not know the intention of the question or is not familiar with a language.
One of the most used rhetorical questions.
Rhetorical questions are generally not answered because the answer is included within them. Hence the fact that a conversation does not take place with the characteristics of a dialogue where open questions are formulated, that is, they do need to be answered.
characteristics
- A rhetorical question does not need an answer.
- It is not directed at a specific recipient.
- The sender can ask himself a rhetorical question.
- A rhetorical question can occur in any context, be it everyday, literary or academic.
- Rhetorical questions are applied in the areas of advertising, politics, speeches, in texts and in everyday life.
- The understanding and comprehension of a rhetorical question depend on the intention with which it is asked.
- The rhetorical question seeks to consolidate the thinking and ideas of those who ask it.
- A rhetorical question seeks to modify the behavior of the receiver.
- In literature, the rhetorical question is used by authors to delve into some idea or feeling.
- One of the purposes of the rhetorical question is to convince or persuade in relation to a situation.
How does it work?
A rhetorical question works by pretending to be a dialogue, but in reality it assumes that the listener agrees with the meaning of the question. In the same way, if a person asks himself a rhetorical question, he only seeks to reach a state of reflection that allows him to change some thought or attitude.
On the other hand, the function of a rhetorical question extends to the level of habitual expressions that want to cover up some type of point or criticism. This is very common in the relationship that occurs between parents and children or between teachers and students when there is inappropriate behavior.
To the idea of the previous paragraph is added the characteristic of sarcasm or irony that this form of question can present. The intention is to cover up the hurtful or damaging tone of how the interrogation is done. In any case that a rhetorical question is used, its purpose will be oriented to be conclusive, determined and convincing.
Examples of rhetorical questions
- Julian, don't you think those shoes are very expensive?
- How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to see you?
- How long this torment in my life?
- I have clown face?
- Where has such nonsense been seen?
- How long am I going to wait for you to tidy up your room?
- How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not hungry?
- Am I going crazy?
- Why the indifference to the suffering of children?
- Could it be that I cut a finger so that you pay attention to me?
- How many times have I helped you when you ask me for a favor?
- Who can love such a bad person in his life?
- Who else would I call?
- When will the people be able to forget the damage their rulers did to them?
- Who is going to want to wash with this low quality detergent?
- Is Mario crazy or has a screw loosened?
- Why does everything bad happen to me?
- Where are those who said that the revolution would improve the situation in the country?
- How can you not support that candidate if you have a job thanks to him?
- Why increase the salary if it is not enough for anything?
- How does the governor intend to fix the streets of the municipality if the budget he sends is not enough?
- Can you believe that after we ate he left without paying?
- How many years will it take for you to return the book I lent you?
- How many times do I have to send you to remove your shoes from the stairs?
- What woman would not dream of having a man like me?
- How long am I going to tell them to be silent?
- Who is going to read that badly written document?
- You don't plan to end this war?
- Do you know how long I waited to go out with her?
- Who but you to take care of my chickens?
- Do you want me to think that our parents are stupid?
- Why that strong and suffocating desire?
- How many more nights do I have to stay up for your late arrivals?
- When will be the day that you do not leave me alone in the house?
- Should I wait a lifetime for you to change?
- How many more liters of water are you going to spend bathing?
- Do you want me to take your cell phone?
- How long are you going to continue with the same theme?
- Don't you understand or is it that I speak Chinese?
- How come there has been no electricity in Caracas for three days?
- How many times do I have to tell you to go away?
- When has something like it been seen?
- I have monkeys in the face?
- Feet, what do I want you for?
- Are you crazy?
- When will I forget you?
- When will this ordeal end?
- Why do all the misfortunes happen to me?
- What's wrong with me today?
- Why do I make the same mistake again?
- Where has anything like it been seen?
In poetry
- Why this restless and burning desire? - José de Espronceda
- Did you forget the song
Ismael Enrique Arciniegas
- In freedom walks death
Rafael Alberti (20th century)
- If I lock myself up, it's because I cry
Claudia Prado
- Are there flowering brambles
Antonio Machado
- How does that rose that you lit live
Gustavo Adolfo Becquer
Applications
The greatest use of the rhetorical question is to emphasize an idea. They are not only used in debates, they are also a resource in everyday conversations, where hurtful comments are tried to mask and are used as a form of irony. It is an exercise to avoid saying what you are thinking.
Rhetorical questions are a minority in the use of language as opposed to open questions, which do await an answer. They have to be used in such a way that the respondent understands that they are being challenged to think, rather than inviting them to elaborate a response.
They are also used in situations where there is an authority and a subordinate, such as in situations between a teacher and a student, a mother and a child, etc.
It should be noted that its use is normal even in the first person, posing questions to oneself (what happens to me today?).
Rhetorical questions are also found in literary speech, especially in poetry. The difference between the use of everyday rhetorical questions versus their use in poetry is that in poetry they can contain several interwoven ideas or that raise more questions, or even that they establish a starting point for introspection.
References
- Rhetorical questioning. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
- Meaning of rhetorical question. (2017). (N / a): Meanings. Recovered from: significados.com.
- Pérez, J. and Gardey, A. (2012). Definition of rhetorical question. (N / a): Definition. From. Recovered from: definicion.de.
- 20 examples of rhetorical questions. (2019). Colombia: Examples. Recovered from: examples.co.
- What is a rhetorical question. (S. f.). (N / a): Don Cómos? Recovered from: educar.doncomos.com.