what are rhetorical questions

A rhetorical question is a question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information the question asks, using the rhetoric speech. It is an inquiry that ends in a question mark but is asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer. Rhetorical questions are used in various forms of writing and rhetoric, such as literature, persuasive writing, debates, speeches, and everyday conversation. They can be found in fiction, non-fiction, speeches, conversation, and theoretical works. Rhetorical questions reinforce a work’s crucial points by introducing a topic, strengthening an argument, or better conveying the author’s feelings and thoughts through sheer impact. Rhetorical questions may be prosaic, political, philosophical, patronizing, humorous, or ironic. Most rhetorical questions asked have an “obvious”, implied answer. The effectiveness of rhetorical questions in argument comes from their dramatic quality. They suggest dialogue, especially when the speaker both asks and answers them himself, as if he were playing two parts on the stage.