English Language & Usage Asked on June 5, 2021
I understand a ‘rhetorical question’ to be a question that was asked for the purpose of rhetoric, such that the asker was not expecting or interested in a response.
When I think of the concept of a question in general I normally think of a statement that invites an answer in response. So to me the most commonly occuring concept which ‘question’ refers to is in a sense opposite to the concept of ‘rhetorical question’. Then outside of the context of rhetorical questions, I understand ‘question’ to mean ‘non-rhetorical question’.
Is there an adjective I can put in front of ‘question’ to specify that I mean a non-rhetorical question? I could then use this when rhetorical questions are being discussed and it’s no longer clear from the context that the word ‘question’ means ‘non-rhetorical question’.
I would be interested to hear different suggestions for this, as well as thoughts on how appropriate ‘dialectical question’ could be to try to convey this meaning.
"non-rhetorical" is the word you are looking for. This wouldn't be used except in an instance where the question might be mistaken for rhetorical.
"Can you image something better than this?" You might ask this looking for answers, but most people would probably mistake this for rhetorical. You could clarify by saying "The question is non-rhetorical."
Answered by GArthurBrown on June 5, 2021
It is a Pointed Question
A rhetorical question is used not to beg an answer but to compel the listener to answer the question themselves. This is a powerful tool when trying to sway an audience as does rhetoric. You are not telling them what you want them to hear but saying something that compels them tell themselves what you want them to hear.
If it is not rhetorical then you do actually demand an answer. If it a specific or known answer you hope to elicit then you are asking a pointed question, one that is emphasized and waits for the response. The answer may be the point made or perhaps it is the point of the questioner's finger digging into the arm of the questioned.
This is featured in legal dramas where every lawyer knows never to ask a question unless you are sure you know the answer. In that case asking it is merely a dramatic way to expose what they want everyone else to know. The questioner usually follows the answer with "Aha!".
It is odd to ask mundane questions in such a tone: "So did you place the jam spoon into the sink after use?"
Answered by Elliot on June 5, 2021
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