Why the Use of Rhetorical Questions Is an Iffier Tactic Than You Think

[dr_pretentious]

It's not that I wish I were still teaching freshman comp. I just wish I could send this stunning example of Rhetoric Gone Wrong back in time to myself, so that I could use it with my undergrads. The kids I teach now are young enough, I can't use an example like this in any way, for any purpose, without stepping on their parents' toes. It's amazing how early the astute kids start using rhetorical questions in their writing.

From this article, I excerpt the following:

Rep. D.J. Bettencourt, a Salem Republican, tried unsuccessfully to bar women under 18 from obtaining the drug without a prescription.

"Would you want your 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-year-old daughters getting emergency contraception as easily as they can get Advil?" he said.

To which the very obvious answer is, yes. Duh. If I had a 12-year-old daughter, and she had occasion to use emergency contraception, I would fervently hope she would be able to get what she needed without delay or hassle. What kind of sadistic, fanatical, idiotic parent would prefer that his 12-year-old daughter carry to term a pregnancy she didn't want?

Open Memorandum to the Hon. Rep. Bettencourt:
When using rhetorical questions, it's advisable to load them with inflammatory modifiers, lest the reader think for herself.

Comments

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

When I was at college, I knew folks who resorted to the morning after pill, but not one of them was cavalier about it beforehand. Certainly, no one could be cavalier about it afterward, as it was formulated in the early 1990s, since one of the absolutely predictable side effects was Hours Of Vomiting. Twelve hours, in one case. I can think of very few disincentives to promiscuity more persuasive than twelve straight hours of vomiting. One can only hope the formulation that'll be sold over the counter now is easier on the body.