A Clear, Logical Organization: Using Rhetorical Questions

Printed Page 421
 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

Writers sometimes use rhetorical questions to guide readers through a causal argument. In this selection, Vedantam presents several important rhetorical questions, such as these:

Why have successive generations of Americans . . . done so little to halt suffering on such a large scale? (par. 7)

Why did so many people come forward to save Hokget? . . . Why did they feel a single abandoned dog on a stateless ship was their problem? (par. 11)

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a paragraph or two analyzing how Vedantam uses rhetorical questions to help readers follow the logic of his causal argument:

  1. Reread paragraphs 7–13, in which Vedantam poses rhetorical questions. What is the “discrepancy” (par. 8) or “paradox” (par. 13) that Vedantam is trying to explain? How do these rhetorical questions convey to readers this central problem?
  2. Skim the rest of the selection, highlighting the other rhetorical questions Vedantam includes. Which are Vedantam’s own questions, and which are questions paraphrased from sources? How do these additional rhetorical questions help guide readers’ understanding of the subject?

    Question