when someone doesn't take the default politically correct rhetorical position of their own stance in discussing a political issue. It leads to a false perception of cognitive dissonance by their audience, when in fact the person is abandoning rhetoric and examining the issue without rhetorical bias. It leads to an ally of a cause to be seen as the enemy for not falling in line with automatically assumed rhetorical positions.
When Bob argued the following, "I am a full supporter of gender equality. However, the SCUM Manifesto doesn't help the feminist cause. Many feminists become just as bad as chauvinists, when their responses to sexism become just as polemic," he was seen as criticizing feminism, creating rhetorical dissonance. Another example is the following: "Gay rights are very important, and they should be equal. That being said, the APA has established that orientation changes over a lifetime. The reality is that some people can and do choose to be gay, not that there's anything wrong with that."
by ideomotion October 21, 2010
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Person 1: I wonder how janice got herpes?
Person 2: 'Cus she is a SLUT!!!
Person 1: Dude if that was a joke it was not funny
Person 2: It was a rhetorical joke
Person 2: 'Cus she is a SLUT!!!
Person 1: Dude if that was a joke it was not funny
Person 2: It was a rhetorical joke
by hueng low December 6, 2009
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These messages can cause confusion by causing dozens of people to think that someone wants to hold an actual conversation with them, when in fact the sender of the message was simply lonely, amused, drunk, or all three.
These messages can cause confusion by causing dozens of people to think that someone wants to hold an actual conversation with them, when in fact the sender of the message was simply lonely, amused, drunk, or all three.
Alice: Carol just texted me, 'Why the hell can't people in Atlanta use their turn signals?' How the hell should I know? I *do* use my turn signal!
Bob: Relax. It was a rhetorical textion. She sent it to me, too.
Bob: Relax. It was a rhetorical textion. She sent it to me, too.
by scarshapedstar. January 6, 2009
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Usually encourages the person or people being asked the question to reflect upon their own thoughts and beliefs rather than answer specifically out loud.
Usually encourages the person or people being asked the question to reflect upon their own thoughts and beliefs rather than answer specifically out loud.
Examples of rhetorical questions-
Speaker: "What defense to the homeless have if the government will not protect them?"
Guy: "Did you get some from her last night?"
Other Guy: "Is the sky blue?"
Office Worker: "How stupid is this new filing system we have?"
Speaker: "What defense to the homeless have if the government will not protect them?"
Guy: "Did you get some from her last night?"
Other Guy: "Is the sky blue?"
Office Worker: "How stupid is this new filing system we have?"
by ACG2x July 23, 2005
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Do you know how many people will be in our philosophy class this year?
42.
C'mon seriously, do you know what the main topic of our class will be?
42.
Geez, how many times do you have to piss me off with rhetorical answers in one day?
42.
Do you think I should wear the green dress or the red dress?
To be or not to be.
42.
C'mon seriously, do you know what the main topic of our class will be?
42.
Geez, how many times do you have to piss me off with rhetorical answers in one day?
42.
Do you think I should wear the green dress or the red dress?
To be or not to be.
by Bloopy March 25, 2008
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