Retorisesti

Retorisesti is a Finnish adverb describing something done in a rhetorical manner. It relates to retoriikka, the study and practice of persuasive speaking and writing, and the adjective retorinen (rhetorical), which derives from Latin rhetoricus through various European linguistic layers.

In usage, retorisesti characterizes manner rather than content. A statement made retorisesti aims to persuade, influence emotions, or emphasize a point through style, phrasing, or figures of speech, rather than simply conveying factual information. The common expression retorisesti sanottuna (in rhetorical terms, or in a way that highlights the rhetoric) is often used to frame a claim as a matter of argumentation or appearance rather than objective truth. In critical discourse, labeling something as retorisesti effective may imply that its persuasiveness is notable even if its factual basis is debatable.

Retorisesti is part of a broader vocabulary surrounding rhetoric, including retoriset keinot (rhetorical devices) and concepts within retoriikka. It is frequently used in journalism, literary analysis, public speaking, and academic writing to discuss how something is said, not only what is said. While it highlights stylistic and strategic aspects of communication, it does not itself judge the quality of the argument, leaving evaluation to the surrounding context.

See also: retoriikka, retoriset keinot, retorinen.