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Subjects · Leaving Cert English

Leaving Cert English: Rhetoric

How often Rhetoric comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Rhetoric, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Rhetoric.

(a)Using 'we' and 'us' to bind speaker and audience together is…
  1. Emotive language
  2. Inclusive language
  3. Colloquial language
(b)Words chosen to stir strong feelings, like 'slaughter' or 'innocent', are…
  1. Colloquial language
  2. Jargon
  3. Emotive language
(c)Quoting a respected expert in a speech is an appeal to…
  1. Authority
  2. Humour
  3. Nostalgia
Show the answers

(a) Inclusive language

(b) Emotive language

(c) Authority

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Rhetoric.

Higher Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Composing 5
2025Composing 2
2024Composing 3
2023Composing 4
2022Composing 2
2021Composing 7
2019Composing 7
2018Composing 7
2017Composing 3
2016Composing 1, Composing 5, Composing 7

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Rhetoric questions

Rhetoric, 2 marks

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument so it's easier to attack is…

  1. An ad hominem attack
  2. An anecdote
  3. A straw man
Show the answer

A straw man

The 'straw man' is easier to knock down than the real argument. Spotting it in persuasive texts shows critical reading.

Rhetoric, 2 marks

Presenting only two options when more exist is…

  1. An anecdote
  2. A false dichotomy
  3. A tricolon
Show the answer

A false dichotomy

e.g. 'You're either with us or against us.' It ignores middle ground and pressures the audience.

Rhetoric, 2 marks

'Everyone else is doing it, so you should too' is an appeal to…

  1. The bandwagon
  2. Authority
  3. Logic
Show the answer

The bandwagon

It plays on the fear of missing out; advertisers use it with lines like 'Join millions of happy customers'.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Composing 3
2025Composing 4, Composing 7
2024Composing 6
2023Composing 3, Composing 6
2022Composing 3, Composing 6
2021Composing 7
2019Composing 7
2018Composing 1
2017Composing 2
2016Composing 7

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Rhetoric questions

Rhetoric, 2 marks

'Good morning, Principal, teachers and fellow students' is an example of…

  1. A rhetorical question
  2. A call to action
  3. Addressing the audience
Show the answer

Addressing the audience

Every speech, talk or debate should open by naming the audience given in the title. It shows the examiner you know the form.

Rhetoric, 2 marks

A speaker uses a rhetorical question mainly to…

  1. Fill time when they forget the next line
  2. Make the audience think, with the answer obvious
  3. Get a real answer shouted back from the hall
Show the answer

Make the audience think, with the answer obvious

A rhetorical question is not looking for a reply. It pulls the audience in and leads them towards the speaker's answer.

Rhetoric, 2 marks

'We need courage, we need honesty and we need action' uses…

  1. The rule of three
  2. A simile
  3. Onomatopoeia
Show the answer

The rule of three

Three linked points in a row are called the rule of three, a list of three or a triad. They sound complete and are easy to remember.

Other English topics

All of Leaving Cert English