I am writing a report in apa and I was not sure if it is okay to ask a rhetorical question in the introduction?
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Read through the style directions in here and let us know what you discover. My reaction is that rhetorical questions are not forbidden, but read this website to make sure.
before coming here ( jiskha) I did my own search but I did not find anything that said what was allowed in the text only the format. I saw this website as well. I do not remember my teacher saying any thing about questions, but I wanted to be sure
I don't think there's anything wrong with it. And if you answer that question in the course of your paper, all the better!
=)
Okay I think that is what I will do, I will be bringing my paper to the writing lab at my school on Monday so if it is wrong Im sure they will point it out.
Thank you so much
You're welcome.
In APA style, the general recommendation is to avoid using rhetorical questions in your academic writing, particularly in the introduction section of your report. The goal of an academic paper is to present objective information and support your arguments with evidence, rather than engaging in a more informal or conversational tone.
Rhetorical questions are often used to provoke thought or emphasize a point, but they may not be appropriate for the formal and scholarly nature of academic writing. Instead, it is advisable to state your thesis or main argument clearly and concisely in the introduction, providing a brief overview of the topic and establishing the purpose of your report.
If you want to engage readers or create interest in your topic, consider using an attention-grabbing statement, a relevant fact or statistic, or a brief anecdote. These techniques can help to captivate your readers without relying on rhetorical questions. However, it is always a good idea to consult the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the publication you are submitting your report to, as different contexts may have different writing conventions.