Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical Questions Rhetorical questions provoke, in a way, since one isn’t expecting an answer. ("Are you serious?") Yet, when one thinks of questions, one thinks of inquiring, and someone addressing the curiosity or confusion. (“I’m confused…what’s the homework?” “You're supposed to do number seven first, then the rest.”) Now, when one answers a question with a rhetorical question, it gets frustrating. It’s as if they’re questioning the question, and it doesn’t help to problem solve. (“Was Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination the cause of World War 1?”

“Really now, was it?”) Not to mention, most rhetorical questions begin with “I don’t know”, and that’s just absurd since the asker does in fact, know. (“Do we have science class next?” “I don’t know; do we?”) But, it’s sometimes useful since it’s a great way to emphasize a point if one is the asker. (“Are you really gonna buy that shirt?” “Yeah! Gotta a problem with that?!)

Then again, giving straight answers has never been a strong suit of human beings. (“How was your day?”

“Well I had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.”)

We’re constantly inferring what other people are thinking.

If we’re honest and straightforward with our answers, will the world be filled with less frustration?

Well, I don’t know, will it?