rhetoric

Definition

  • noun: language that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable
  • noun: the art of speaking or writing effectively
  • synonyms: barnumism, affectation, articulateness

Examples

  • “Should we be leaving soon?” “Is that a 'rhetorical question'?” [=is that a question you're asking as a way to say that we should be leaving soon?]

  • an expert 'rhetorician' [=a person who is able to use language in a very effective way]

  • My question was 'rhetorical'. I wasn't really expecting an answer.

Movie quotes

  • (..) people who display Constitutional Party or Libertarian material; people who support Ron Paul; and those who have bumper stickers containing antigovernment rhetoric. This document is one of literally thousands that make everyone a possible terrorist. This establishes a pattern of (..)
    2009 Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup
  • (..) to choose their intelligence front man, George H. W. Bush as his Vice-President. But in spite of last year's campaign rhetoric, all seems to be back to normal between George Bush and his old colleagues. And President Reagan, who is relying on many of these powerful... business leaders to make (..)
    2009 Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup