Rhetorical
adjective
Related to the art of public speaking or persuasive writing.
The teacher gave a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King's speech.
Often appears as...
- rhetorical question
- rhetorical strategies
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
A type of question that doesn't expect an answer, it is used for emphasis or to make a point.
Isn't it obvious, it was a rhetorical question?
Often appears as...
- ask a rhetorical question
- answer a rhetorical question
adjective
Used for style or effect, not to be taken literally.
His rhetorical flourish at the end of the speech captured everyone's attention.
Often appears as...
- rhetorical flourish
- rhetorical device
Usage tips
Literary
adjective
Related to the art of public speaking or persuasive writing.
The teacher gave a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King's speech.
Often appears as...
- rhetorical question
- rhetorical strategies
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
A type of question that doesn't expect an answer, it is used for emphasis or to make a point.
Isn't it obvious, it was a rhetorical question?
Often appears as...
- ask a rhetorical question
- answer a rhetorical question
adjective
Used for style or effect, not to be taken literally.
His rhetorical flourish at the end of the speech captured everyone's attention.
Often appears as...
- rhetorical flourish
- rhetorical device
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Public Speech Influence
Emphasizes the strength of words to convince or motivate listeners in speeches.
Politicians often use rhetorical skills to sway public opinion.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Content
Focuses on delivery style just as much as the message itself.
Her rhetorical eloquence made even the mundane topic engaging.
Pro Tip 3/3Persuasion Over Information
Aims to persuade rather than to inform, prioritizing effect over clarity.
Rhetorical appeals are common in advertising campaigns.
Pro Tip 1/3Public Speech Influence
Emphasizes the strength of words to convince or motivate listeners in speeches.
Politicians often use rhetorical skills to sway public opinion.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Content
Focuses on delivery style just as much as the message itself.
Her rhetorical eloquence made even the mundane topic engaging.
Pro Tip 3/3Persuasion Over Information
Aims to persuade rather than to inform, prioritizing effect over clarity.
Rhetorical appeals are common in advertising campaigns.
Pro Tip 1/3Public Speech Influence
Emphasizes the strength of words to convince or motivate listeners in speeches.
Politicians often use rhetorical skills to sway public opinion.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Content
Focuses on delivery style just as much as the message itself.
Her rhetorical eloquence made even the mundane topic engaging.
Pro Tip 3/3Persuasion Over Information
Aims to persuade rather than to inform, prioritizing effect over clarity.
Rhetorical appeals are common in advertising campaigns.
Compare with
bombasticeloquentexpressivefigurativeflowerygrandiloquentoratoricalpersuasive
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Video examples
Toby Shapshak: You don't...
pay-as-you-go is one of the most dominant forces of economic activity in the world. So I'm going to talk about innovation in Africa, which I think is the purest form, innovation out of necessity. But first, I'm going to ask you some other questions. You don't have to put your hands up. These are rhetorical.
Video examples
The mad scientist of...
And I say this rhetorically, because of course by just about any standard we would have to concede that this is, of course, a piece of music, but I put this here now because, just to set it in your brains for the moment, because we're going to return to this question. It's going to be a kind of a refrain
Video examples
Where good ideas come...
All of these concepts, as rhetorically florid as they are, share this basic assumption, which is that an idea is a single thing. It's something that happens often in a wonderful, illuminating moment. But, in fact, what I would argue and what you really need to begin with
Video examples
I grew up in the...
justice, equality, freedom, dignity, prosperity -- but the path we've chosen looks so much like the one I walked away from four years ago. We've broken the world into us and them, only emerging from our bunkers long enough to lob rhetorical grenades at the other camp.
Video examples
Advocating for gender...
to tell the world what was afoot the secretary-general made the occasional reference in speeches but mostly his conduct mirrored his approach to all other issues involving women and enfeebled rhetorical moment followed by virtually no implementation whatsoever
Video examples
Eric X. Li: A tale of...
But this claim is a rhetorical trap hidden behind a political bias. See, some have decided a priori what kinds of changes they want to see, and only such changes can be called political reform. The truth is, political reforms have never stopped.
Video examples
Is the world getting...
and rhetorical power than I can tell it better and spread it further. It goes something like this. We are born into a pitiless universe, facing steep odds against life-enabling order and in constant jeopardy of falling apart.
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
Anything that distracts you is going to kick you out of flow and prevent you from having fun. And what's the number one source of distraction for most of us, these days? Oh, thank you. It was rhetorical, but yes, your phones.
Video examples
How to use rhetoric to...
And finally, you can demonstrate disinterest, or that you're not motivated by personal gain. Logos is the use of logic and reason. This method can employ rhetorical devices such as analogies, examples,
Video examples
The power of a great...
Avoid starting with famous quotations, dictionary definitions or rhetorical questions. Consider the historical context of your topic, or an anecdote or some larger idea or concept.
Video examples
Toby Shapshak: You don't...
pay-as-you-go is one of the most dominant forces of economic activity in the world. So I'm going to talk about innovation in Africa, which I think is the purest form, innovation out of necessity. But first, I'm going to ask you some other questions. You don't have to put your hands up. These are rhetorical.
Video examples
The mad scientist of...
And I say this rhetorically, because of course by just about any standard we would have to concede that this is, of course, a piece of music, but I put this here now because, just to set it in your brains for the moment, because we're going to return to this question. It's going to be a kind of a refrain
Video examples
Where good ideas come...
All of these concepts, as rhetorically florid as they are, share this basic assumption, which is that an idea is a single thing. It's something that happens often in a wonderful, illuminating moment. But, in fact, what I would argue and what you really need to begin with
Video examples
I grew up in the...
justice, equality, freedom, dignity, prosperity -- but the path we've chosen looks so much like the one I walked away from four years ago. We've broken the world into us and them, only emerging from our bunkers long enough to lob rhetorical grenades at the other camp.
Video examples
Advocating for gender...
to tell the world what was afoot the secretary-general made the occasional reference in speeches but mostly his conduct mirrored his approach to all other issues involving women and enfeebled rhetorical moment followed by virtually no implementation whatsoever
Video examples
Eric X. Li: A tale of...
But this claim is a rhetorical trap hidden behind a political bias. See, some have decided a priori what kinds of changes they want to see, and only such changes can be called political reform. The truth is, political reforms have never stopped.
Video examples
Is the world getting...
and rhetorical power than I can tell it better and spread it further. It goes something like this. We are born into a pitiless universe, facing steep odds against life-enabling order and in constant jeopardy of falling apart.
Video examples
Why Having Fun Is the...
Anything that distracts you is going to kick you out of flow and prevent you from having fun. And what's the number one source of distraction for most of us, these days? Oh, thank you. It was rhetorical, but yes, your phones.
Video examples
How to use rhetoric to...
And finally, you can demonstrate disinterest, or that you're not motivated by personal gain. Logos is the use of logic and reason. This method can employ rhetorical devices such as analogies, examples,
Video examples
The power of a great...
Avoid starting with famous quotations, dictionary definitions or rhetorical questions. Consider the historical context of your topic, or an anecdote or some larger idea or concept.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Michael Eric Dyson
American Author
Obviously, Jay-Z is one of the greatest entertainers of the world today. Not only is he a remarkable rhetorical genius, he's also a man of deep sympathy and empathy for those who are lost and vulnerable, but especially under-educated youth of all cultures and stripes.
Quote examples
Leo Ornstein
American Composer
Now, there are sometimes making a connection between one section and another that sometimes you do want to see the pattern because it helps you to lead into the next thing - it's a rhetorical thing, where you just see how the pattern has to go into the next thing.
Quote examples
Gary Bauer
American Public Servant
If one is going to change the definition of marriage to be, quote, 'same sex,' then there is absolutely no valid argument constitutionally or rhetorically you can make against multiple people getting married. These are radical social changes.
Quote examples
Meghan Daum
American Author
In the world of opinion writing, there's something called the 'to be sure' paragraph. A sort of rhetorical antibiotic, it seeks to defend against critics by injecting a tiny bit of counter-argument before moving on with the main point.
Quote examples
James Redfield
American Author
I grew up in a little Methodist church that was very rural, very community support-oriented, made up of great people who talked about love and grace and the spiritual experience, but only in rhetorical terms.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
Abstract anger is great for rhetorical carrying on. You can go on endlessly about the post office, but it doesn't mean you're mad at your mailman.
Quote examples
Hugh Sidey
American Journalist
The problems seem so easy out there on the stump. Deficits shrink with a rhetorical flourish.
Quote examples
Mario Cuomo
American Politician
There's something about rhetorical violence that is ugly and worrying.
Quote examples
Mark Udall
American Politician
Genuine dialogue, not rhetorical bomb-throwing, leads to progress.
Quote examples
Clifford Geertz
American Scientist
Meaning is socially, historically, and rhetorically constructed.
Quote examples
Michael Eric Dyson
American Author
Obviously, Jay-Z is one of the greatest entertainers of the world today. Not only is he a remarkable rhetorical genius, he's also a man of deep sympathy and empathy for those who are lost and vulnerable, but especially under-educated youth of all cultures and stripes.
Quote examples
Leo Ornstein
American Composer
Now, there are sometimes making a connection between one section and another that sometimes you do want to see the pattern because it helps you to lead into the next thing - it's a rhetorical thing, where you just see how the pattern has to go into the next thing.
Quote examples
Gary Bauer
American Public Servant
If one is going to change the definition of marriage to be, quote, 'same sex,' then there is absolutely no valid argument constitutionally or rhetorically you can make against multiple people getting married. These are radical social changes.
Quote examples
Meghan Daum
American Author
In the world of opinion writing, there's something called the 'to be sure' paragraph. A sort of rhetorical antibiotic, it seeks to defend against critics by injecting a tiny bit of counter-argument before moving on with the main point.
Quote examples
James Redfield
American Author
I grew up in a little Methodist church that was very rural, very community support-oriented, made up of great people who talked about love and grace and the spiritual experience, but only in rhetorical terms.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
Abstract anger is great for rhetorical carrying on. You can go on endlessly about the post office, but it doesn't mean you're mad at your mailman.
Quote examples
Hugh Sidey
American Journalist
The problems seem so easy out there on the stump. Deficits shrink with a rhetorical flourish.
Quote examples
Mario Cuomo
American Politician
There's something about rhetorical violence that is ugly and worrying.
Quote examples
Mark Udall
American Politician
Genuine dialogue, not rhetorical bomb-throwing, leads to progress.
Quote examples
Clifford Geertz
American Scientist
Meaning is socially, historically, and rhetorically constructed.
Example 1 of 10
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