Used to describe a question, statement, or action that is intended to have a persuasive effect, often without expecting or needing a direct answer or response. It can also indicate that something is expressed using the techniques and stylistic devices of rhetoric, such as figures of speech, deliberate emphasis, and emotional appeals, to influence or impress an audience, rather than simply convey information. This can involve carefully crafting words, structure, and delivery to achieve a desired effect.
Rhetorically meaning with examples
- During the debate, the candidate rhetorically asked, 'Can we afford to continue down this path?' knowing the audience largely shared his opinion, but really seeking to stoke emotion and emphasize his viewpoint, rather than obtain new information. He used the rhetorical question to prompt agreement without the need for individual responses.
- The advertisement rhetorically posed, 'Isn’t your family worth the best?' focusing on the emotional appeal of family security. It used a rhetorical question instead of simply saying 'buy our product', knowing that the audience would generally respond in the affirmative, further supporting their marketing technique.
- The novel's opening paragraph used language rhetorically, employing metaphors and vivid imagery to create a sense of impending doom, establishing the tone rather than necessarily conveying literal truth. The author sought to immerse the reader in the story's atmosphere early on.
- The speech's final line was delivered rhetorically, with the speaker pausing for dramatic effect and emphasizing the phrase to underline his point, employing voice modulation as a rhetorical device. He knew this would linger in the audience's minds and reinforce his message.