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Rhetorical questions are statements in the form of a question that do not require an answer. They suggest a desired answer and are often used in debates, courtrooms, and by parents. They can also stimulate discussion and reflection. Some become figures of speech over time. Not all unanswered questions are rhetorical.
A rhetorical question is a question often based on rhetoric that does not necessarily require an answer. It is often a way of making a tentative statement in the form of a question. Such questions are often used in debates to avoid making an explicit statement, but at the same time still to make a point. If later called back to the point, or shown to be inaccurate, the speaker can claim it was just a question.
Rhetorical questions tend to suggest a correct or desired answer and are often declarative, such as the question, “You’re ashamed, aren’t you?” This style of questioning tends to be used in court, with questions like, “You’ve been to the crime scene, right?” They are often leading questions and are sometimes used to get someone to confess something.
Sometimes, a rhetorical question is only asked as a stimulating gesture or to stimulate discussion. This also occurs frequently during debates, especially political debates. For example, “How corrupt is the government?” it’s rhetorical. This question doesn’t actually have a concrete or measurable answer; the answer is based on opinion. However, such questions are capable of inspiring reflections and further debates.
Parents have long asked rhetorical questions of their children. Many jokes have been made about it. When a child exclaims that everyone else is doing something they are forbidden to do, a parent might respond with a rhetorical question such as, “If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?”
A rhetorical question often also includes a rhetorical expression or figure of speech. Sometimes, one becomes a figure of speech over time. “Are you joking?” is a good example of the latter. However, not all unanswered questions qualify as rhetorical. Some are just silly questions or are asked for entertainment.
There are even TV specials that use questions as headlines, such as “Where are they now?” which refers to former stars who are no longer as popular as they used to be. The question is not designed to be answered by the audience, but is answered throughout the program. A similar situation arises when a speaker appears to be asking a rhetorical question but then answers himself.
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