In this first example, the question includes a contrast between ‘their own money’ and ‘our country’ that triggers a burst of applause before Dimbleby or anyone else has time to say anything:
The speaker in this next one deploys three rhetorical techniques in quick succession: a rhetorical question, a three-part list and a contrast.
And, as so often happens when someone combines more than one technique at a time, the applause here exceeds the standard 8 pus or minus 1 second 'normal' burst of applause (by about 2 seconds), thereby underlining the response as a more enthusiastic one than usual:
It was quite explicit. It has to be wholly necessary to do the job as an MP.
[Q] What could be more plainer than that?
[1] They don’t need scatter cushions,
[2] bottles of gin,
[3] plocks.
[A] It’s not the system that’s wrong.
[B] It’s the people - the MPs themselves. [APPLAUSE]
For more about rhetorical techniques and how to use them to get your own messages across, see any of my books (listed in the left-hand margin).
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1 comment:
As a complete coward I flicked on and off Question Time in the more tense moments. However, I did notice that even though Dimbleby had to admonish the audience for shouting out, as far as I remember I can't recall any use or variation of "thief" or "steal" which I thought was interesting.
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