1. Emphasizing a point:
* "The lawyer used a rhetorical question to highlight the absurdity of the defendant's claim."
* "The speaker's rhetorical flourishes, while captivating, ultimately failed to address the core issue."
2. Describing a style:
* "The poet's work is known for its rhetorical brilliance and use of vivid imagery."
* "The politician's speech was full of rhetorical devices, including metaphors and analogies."
3. Indicating a question intended to provoke thought rather than elicit an answer:
* "Is the sky blue? That's a rhetorical question, of course!"
* "Do you want to live in a world without peace? That's a rhetorical question, isn't it?"
4. Describing a device used in speech or writing:
* "The use of rhetorical devices, like repetition and alliteration, can be very persuasive."
* "She employed a rhetorical strategy of appealing to the audience's emotions."
The key is to understand that "rhetorical" usually implies a skillful use of language to achieve a particular effect.