Rhetorical question
A question posed for persuasive or emphatic effect rather than to solicit an answer. Rhetorical questions create engagement, emphasise points, or express indignation. The answer is implied or obvious.
Real World
Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech uses 'How long? Not long!' as a rhetorical question to galvanise his audience, making them feel the answer viscerally rather than being told it outright.
Exam Focus
Always explain the implied answer and its emotional effect on the reader; identification alone earns no AO2 marks.
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