erotema

	The rhetorical question. To affirm or deny a point strongly by asking it as a question.
	Generally, as Melanchthon has noted, the rhetorical question includes an emotional dimension, expressing wonder, indignation, sarcasm, etc.
Examples
	Just why are you so stupid?
Related Figures
	Figures of Refutation interrogatio epiplexis Asking questions in order to chide, to express grief, or to inveigh. pysma The asking of multiple questions anthypophora To ask and then immediately answers one's own questions. irony
See Also
	Rhetorical Questions

	Sources:	Ad Herennium 4.15.22 ("interrogatio"); Aquil. 11 ("erotema," "interrogatum"); Melanch. IR c7v ("interrogatio" "erotema"); Peacham (1577) L3v; Putt. (1589) 220 ("erotema," "questioner"); Day 1599 87 ("erotema," "interrogatio")

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University
Please cite "Silva Rhetoricae" (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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e-ro-tem'-a	Gk. "question"
	*interrogatio, interrogatum, rogatio*
	*the questioner*