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Rhetorical Questions In Persuasive Speech

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One of the most commonly used techniques within persuasive speech giving is the use of rhetorical questions. The speaker generally gives questions to the audience to make them ponder about the subject, and then the speaker gives an immediate response to the question just asked. This way there is no mistaking what the author is trying to get across with his questions during the speech. George Whitefield asks numerous rhetorical questions within his sermon saying, “What sign would they have? Will none of you be friends to the blessed Jesus? And shall not we follow so excellent an example? My brethren, till Christian conversation is more agreeable to us, we cannot expect to see the gospel of Christ run and be glorified” (Whitefield). From this …show more content…
Whitefield is giving the audience an answer without the audience having to think as much about the certain situation. Jonathan Edwards applies the same concept and technique within his sermon. Edwards writes, “What are we, that we should think to stand before Him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down? They deserve to be cast into hell…” (Edwards 210). The audience is able to ponder the question that Edwards asks, but then he quickly follows the question up with a statement explaining where the people will end up if they choose to question the Lord. By using the persuasive technique of rhetorical questions, both George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards are able to enhance their persuasive sermons, to get their points across to their respective …show more content…
The herd mentality is used within speeches and writing to connect with the audience, and make the audience believe that they would be the odd ones out if they did not agree with the author or the speaker. Both George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards do a great job of using this technique within their sermons. At the end of each sermon the intended audience is left with no choice, but to repent after hearing all the terrible things that God will do to a person about their sins ins life. Both preachers make it so that no one wants to be left on God’s bad side, but instead be on God’s good side. By engaging and using the herd mentality on large groups of people, both Whitefield and Edwards are able to bring large amounts of new believers into the

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