A rhetorical question is a type of question that is asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer. It is often used in speeches, writing, and everyday conversation to provoke thought or emphasize a point. For example, asking, "Isn't it time we took action?" encourages the audience to reflect on the urgency of a situation without expecting a direct response. Rhetorical questions can enhance communication by engaging the audience and prompting them to consider the speaker's perspective. They are commonly found in persuasive writing and public speaking, where figures like Martin Luther King Jr. effectively used them to inspire and motivate listeners.