rhetorisch

Rhetorisch is an adjective in German that denotes relation to rhetoric. It describes speech or writing that aims to persuade, influence, or embellish rather than simply convey information. The term stems from Rhetorik, the study of persuasive speaking and writing, which itself traces back to Greek rhetoric via Latin.

In usage, rhetorisch can modify the manner or style of expression. Common phrases include "eine rhetorische Frage" (a question posed for effect rather than to elicit information) and "rhetorische Mittel" (rhetorical devices such as Metapher, Ironie, Alliteration, Anapher). The concept is central in linguistic and literary analysis, where texts are examined for audience-oriented strategies, argumentation, and stylistic choices. Describing something as rhetorisch can indicate deliberate craft and performative quality, or, if overused, a tendency toward artificiality or insincerity.

Rhetorik as a field studies how speakers select techniques to persuade, organize discourse, and adapt to audiences. The term "rhetorisch" appears across academic writings, journalism, and rhetoric criticism, as well as in everyday language when people discuss the style or effectiveness of communication. It is distinct from judgments about factual accuracy, with "rhetorisch" focusing on how something is said rather than what is true.