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# rhetorical

adjective (rhetorical; adverb rhetorically); noun (rhetoric, uncountable)

«rhetorical» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point or for effect, not to get an answer: «Who wants to live in a world without trees?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#m1)
2. (formal) Rhetorical means to do with the art of speaking or writing in a way that persuades or impresses people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#m2)

### In the lessons

In English lessons on persuasive writing and speeches, rhetorical questions make the reader think and agree: «Isn't it time we did something?» Pupils find and use them alongside the rule of three and repetition. In everyday life, «Do you know what time it is?» from a cross parent can be rhetorical — no answer needed. In the formal voice, «rhetoric» can mean fancy speech that may hide a lack of real action. Phrases: «rhetorical question», «rhetorical device», «empty rhetoric».

### Examples

- "Who would want to drop litter in such a beautiful park?" is a rhetorical question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x1)
- Add a rhetorical question to your persuasive letter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x2)
- "Do you think I'm made of money?" Dad asked — it was rhetorical. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x3)
- The speaker used rhetorical tricks to excite the crowd. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x4)
- Don't answer that, it was a rhetorical question! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x5)
- Is the sky blue? That's rhetorical — of course it is. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/#x6)

### Note

Say it "ri-TOR-i-kal". A rhetorical question still ends with a question mark. Noun: «rhetoric» (RET-or-ik). Answering a rhetorical question from an angry adult can sound cheeky.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «rhetorical» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rhetorical/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rhetorical» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/rhetorical.html) on Mova free.