Rhetorical Question
Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question is an illocutionary act that
- has the direct illocutionary force of a question, and
-
is not generally used with the expectation of an answer but with some different, indirect force, such as
- a command
- a tentative statement, and
- an evaluation.
Page/s: 825
Source: Quirk 1972
Quirk, Randolph. 1972. A grammar of contemporary English. [London]: Longman.
Page/s: 1011
Source: Mish 1991
Mish, Frederick (editor). 1991.Webster's ninth new collegiate dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. 1,564 pages. 0877795088; indexed 0877795096; deluxe 087779510X.
Page/s: 235–236
Source: Larson 1984
Larson, Mildred L. 1984.Meaning-based translation: A guide to cross-language equivalence. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
Page/s: 488–489
Source: Corbett 1971
Corbett, Edward P. J. 1971.Classical rhetoric for the modern student. New York: Oxford University.
Page/s: 229
Source: Beekman and Callow 1974
Beekman, John, and John Callow. 1974.Translating the Word of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Broader Terms
Related terms
- RT⇆ Command
- RT⇆ Illocutionary Force
- RT⇆ Question
