Rhetoric

[Headtime]

Is this a rhetorial question?

[rekstout]

Who Knows?

[mikewall01]

Nobody knows.

[xyzzy@bok]

It's not a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question does not require an answer; e.g. from a receptionist; 'Would you like to take a seat?' You're not required to answer and it's not a command either but you may say 'thankyou'.

[Quizmonster]

To add a little to Xyz's response...rhetorical questions are also often asked for effect by authority figures (parents/teachers etc) and by speech-makers. If a youngster tries to con his father into believing he's finished his homework and the father knows perfectly well that the child hasn't, he might shout: "Do you think I'm an idiot?" Obviously, he's not expecting his offspring to say: "Yes", is he?

In the same way, a political speech-maker may have been listing all the things the local Mayor is to blame for. After three or four such points, he might make another and then say: "And who is to blame for this?" Of course, all the listeners know the answer by now...it's the Mayor! These are also examples of rhetorical questions.

[uproar13]

No

[firefly]

As it was answered, no.