Typology of Rhetorical Questions as a Stylistic Device in Writing
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
This paper is concerned with the use of rhetorical questions (RQs), a stylistic device often not recognized
as such. The problem of reading and writing in a second language in Nigeria and also using different
styles apart from the conventional style are examined. The paper also focuses on the impact
any stylistic choice has on the reader. Specifically, it examines style and the concept of the RQ as well
as identifying typology of RQs (about 8 different types), their characteristics and instances of overlap,
their purposes and functions in newspapers and other forms of discourse. The idea is to highlight reasons
why teachers and writers should spice up and embellish the variety of styles available for use
and also point out to readers and writers which types of RQs have been used as well as the purposes,
objectives and the writer’s intention in using that particular style. The paper also looks at the sociocultural
and extra linguistic contexts of the use of the RQ on the Nigerian literary scene. The typology is
presented in tabular form and each type is discussed with examples. The implications of the use of
this stylistic device are pointed out for teachers, students, readers and writers.
Keywords
PE English