English Grammar Online … the fun way to learn English!

Stylistic Devices – Hypophora

question raised and answered by the author / speaker

The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience's attention and make them curious. Often the question is raised at the beginning of a paragraph and answered in the course of that paragraph. Hypophora can also be used, however, to introduce a new area of discussion.

Example:

  • Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
  • How many countries have actually hit […] the targets set at Rio, or in Kyoto in 1998, for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions? Precious few. (6)

see also: → Rhetorical Question