Apparently, throughout the work of Patricia Bizzell, she employs the use of rhetorical questions. By definition, a rhetorical question is a question normally asked for effect, with no anticipation of an answer in regard to the same. In most of the parts where Bizzell incorporates the use of rhetorical questions, she does so essentially because the answer to it is too obvious, or it is provided immediately by the questioner.
Firstly, Bizzell makes use of the rhetorical questions to engage the reader by offering him or her platform where he or she can assimilate ideas in relation to that of Bizzell. At some point in the article, the author asks the question: “are writing teachers' perceptions accurate about their emergence?” (Bizzell 9). The question above seeks to engage the reader or rather the audience into critical thinking about the matter. Apparently, before the reader proceeds reading the work, he or she will make perceptions regarding the following question, in this way; Bizzell achieves her main intent of engaging the reader in formulating ideas.
Secondly, Bizzell uses this figure of speech to make her claims apparent to the audience or rather the reader of her work. The above is apparent when she asks the question: “is it right to force all students to assimilate to the hegemonic culture?”( Bizzell 9). From the question above, the author asks the question then in response to it presents her ideas regarding the same. The above in effect provides her with a platform where she presents her ideas regarding the hegemonic culture.
Thirdly, Bizzell makes use of the rhetorical question as a persuasive device. From her article, she asks the question: “do students still need to learn traditional academic discourse?” (Bizzell 10). Subsequent to the question, the author presents perceptions on the same. The above clearly establishes her use f rhetorical questions not only to engage the reader, but also, present her ideas regarding the same.
It is evidently, true that the author in her work uses rhetorical questions to persuade the reader, make a claim and engage the reader. The above is true because; while reading the article, I had to break for some time at instances where I encountered questions primarily to figure out the answers to the same before proceeding.
Works Cited
Bizzell, Patricia. "The intellectual work of ‘mixed’forms of academic discourses." Alt dis:
Alternative discourses and the academy (2002): 1-10.
