Question

Practice
Complete the following items.

Answer the following questions.
Which of the following questions is rhetorical?
What impact would the rhetorical question make if used in a speech? Explain.
What time is it?
Can you help me with this problem?
Will you stand by and watch people suffer?

Answer 1

Rhetorical question:
- "Will you stand by and watch people suffer?"

Why it’s rhetorical:
- It doesn’t seek factual information or a literal yes/no answer; it’s meant to prompt reflection and to persuade.

What impact it would make in a speech:
- Grabs attention and creates emotional urgency (guilt, empathy, moral responsibility).
- Forces the audience to examine their own values and behavior without needing an answer.
- Strengthens persuasion by framing the speaker’s position as obvious or morally required.
- Can motivate action when followed by concrete steps (e.g., “We cannot—and will not—stand by. Here’s what we must do…”).

Notes on the other two:
- "What time is it?" is informational (expects a factual answer).
- "Can you help me with this problem?" is a direct request (expects a reply/offered help).